Wellhead Pumper salary in California
Wellhead Pumpers in California earn a median of $64,430 a year ($30.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,330 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $69,960. California ranks 7th of 19 states for wellhead pumpers pay. There are 0.01 wellhead pumpers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.08). The average (mean) salary is $65,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for wellhead pumpers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,180 | $24.12 |
| 25th percentile | $56,500 | $27.16 |
| Median | $64,430 | $30.98 |
| 75th percentile | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Average (mean) | $65,580 | $31.53 |
Half of wellhead pumpers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,369.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,684.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,478.08 |
| Weekly | $1,239.04 |
| Hourly | $30.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Wellhead Pumper salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $61,340 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for wellhead pumpers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $79,820 |
| New Mexico | $78,010 |
| Louisiana | $76,930 |
| Texas | $75,860 |
| Colorado | $72,700 |
| Arkansas | $64,650 |
| California | $64,430 |
| Mississippi | $62,560 |
| Kansas | $62,400 |
| Oklahoma | $61,380 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $38,410 | $18.46 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,380 | $19.41 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.74 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7073. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wellhead pumper make in California?
The median salary for wellhead pumpers in California is $64,430 a year, or $30.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid wellhead pumpers make in California?
The top 10% of wellhead pumpers in California earn at least $76,330 a year. The top 25% earn $72,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for wellhead pumpers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,180 a year, and a quarter of wellhead pumpers earn $56,500 or less.
How many wellhead pumpers work in California?
About 160 wellhead pumpers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.