Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $111,370 a year ($53.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,380 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $96,710. Pay here is 8% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $102,890. There are 0.14 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $100,730, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| 25th percentile | $96,350 | $46.32 |
| Median | $111,370 | $53.54 |
| 75th percentile | $111,380 | $53.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,380 | $53.55 |
| Average (mean) | $100,730 | $48.43 |
Half of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers 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 | $9,280.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,640.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,283.46 |
| Weekly | $2,141.73 |
| Hourly | $53.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $111,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $97,210 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $78,350 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $124,530 |
| Louisiana | $106,640 |
| Utah | $105,980 |
| Ohio | $105,150 |
| New Jersey | $104,540 |
| Washington | $103,620 |
| California | $103,250 |
| Illinois | $102,890 |
| Minnesota | $101,910 |
| Kansas | $101,880 |
See Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $115,780 | $55.66 |
| Power Plant Operator | $123,540 | $59.40 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $80,660 | $38.78 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,650 | $20.99 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,500 | $36.78 |
| Machinist | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Baker | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $41,160 | $19.79 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8093. 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 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $111,370 a year, or $53.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $111,380 a year. The top 25% earn $111,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,920 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $96,350 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 620 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.