Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Virginia
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Virginia earn a median of $58,970 a year ($28.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,390 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $96,710. Virginia ranks 39th of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay. There are 0.06 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.28). The average (mean) salary is $65,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,300 | $19.38 |
| 25th percentile | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Median | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| 75th percentile | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,390 | $49.71 |
| Average (mean) | $65,530 | $31.51 |
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 | $4,914.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,457.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,268.08 |
| Weekly | $1,134.04 |
| Hourly | $28.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $63,000 | $30.29 |
| Power Plant Operator | $73,640 | $35.41 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $86,500 | $41.59 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,150 | $35.65 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,180 | $28.45 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Baker | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Machinist | $61,290 | $29.47 |
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 Virginia?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Virginia is $58,970 a year, or $28.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Virginia earn at least $103,390 a year. The top 25% earn $78,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,300 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $46,980 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in Virginia?
About 250 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.