Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $101,600 a year ($48.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,590 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $96,710. Pay here is 8% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $93,750. There are 0.03 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.14). The average (mean) salary is $92,350, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| 25th percentile | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Median | $101,600 | $48.85 |
| 75th percentile | $103,830 | $49.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,590 | $50.28 |
| Average (mean) | $92,350 | $44.40 |
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 | $8,466.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,233.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,907.69 |
| Weekly | $1,953.85 |
| Hourly | $48.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greeley, CO | $93,750 | 40 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $48,550 | $23.34 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,780 | $49.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $79,860 | $38.40 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| Baker | $42,490 | $20.43 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $39,000 | $18.75 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $101,600 a year, or $48.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $104,590 a year. The top 25% earn $103,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,500 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $76,790 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 50 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.