Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in West Virginia
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in West Virginia earn a median of $83,910 a year ($40.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,400 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $96,710. West Virginia ranks 23rd of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay. There are 0.47 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,430 | $34.82 |
| 25th percentile | $81,090 | $38.99 |
| Median | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| 75th percentile | $89,570 | $43.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,400 | $46.83 |
| Average (mean) | $85,280 | $41.00 |
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 | $6,992.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,496.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,227.31 |
| Weekly | $1,613.65 |
| Hourly | $40.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia 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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $81,090 | 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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $82,600 | $39.71 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Power Plant Operator | $97,210 | $46.74 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,960 | $49.02 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,990 | $33.17 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,810 | $23.46 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Machinist | $47,350 | $22.77 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in West Virginia is $83,910 a year, or $40.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in West Virginia earn at least $97,400 a year. The top 25% earn $89,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,430 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $81,090 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in West Virginia?
About 330 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.