Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Kentucky
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Kentucky earn a median of $78,670 a year ($37.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,810 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $96,710. Kentucky ranks 27th of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay. There are 0.26 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| 25th percentile | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Median | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| 75th percentile | $106,780 | $51.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| Average (mean) | $82,740 | $39.78 |
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 | $6,555.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,277.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,025.77 |
| Weekly | $1,512.88 |
| Hourly | $37.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $97,210 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $78,670 | 420 |
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.
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Power Plant Operator | $93,400 | $44.90 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,600 | $50.77 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,490 | $34.85 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Machinist | $58,660 | $28.20 |
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Kentucky is $78,670 a year, or $37.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Kentucky earn at least $106,810 a year. The top 25% earn $106,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,540 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $63,960 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in Kentucky?
About 520 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.