Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in North Dakota
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in North Dakota earn a median of $93,130 a year ($44.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,280 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $96,710. North Dakota ranks 17th of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay. There are 2.2 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 10.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,690, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,580 | $32.01 |
| 25th percentile | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Median | $93,130 | $44.77 |
| 75th percentile | $102,680 | $49.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,280 | $56.87 |
| Average (mean) | $91,690 | $44.08 |
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 | $7,760.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,880.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,581.92 |
| Weekly | $1,790.96 |
| Hourly | $44.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $93,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Plant Operator | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Power Plant Operator | $122,160 | $58.73 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,760 | $32.10 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,250 | $22.71 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| Baker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| Machinist | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in North Dakota is $93,130 a year, or $44.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in North Dakota earn at least $118,280 a year. The top 25% earn $102,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,580 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $80,410 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in North Dakota?
About 950 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.