Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $38,360 a year ($18.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,930 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $61,770. Pay here is 40% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $64,110. There are 0.28 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,140 | $8.72 |
| 25th percentile | $24,040 | $11.56 |
| Median | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| 75th percentile | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,930 | $39.39 |
| Average (mean) | $46,250 | $22.23 |
Half of pump operators, except wellhead pumpers 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 | $3,196.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,598.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,475.38 |
| Weekly | $737.69 |
| Hourly | $18.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $79,840 | 100 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $64,220 | 100 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $62,820 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $92,310 |
| North Dakota | $81,400 |
| Alaska | $80,210 |
| Wyoming | $77,820 |
| Connecticut | $71,890 |
| Montana | $71,770 |
| Michigan | $69,540 |
| Alabama | $66,890 |
| Virginia | $66,500 |
| New Jersey | $64,990 |
See Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,830 | $16.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $28,560 | $13.73 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $65,490 | $31.49 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,120 | $13.52 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $62,200 | $29.90 |
| Dredge Operator | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,940 | $21.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,520 | $30.54 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $121,710 | $58.51 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7072. 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 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $38,360 a year, or $18.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pump operators, except wellhead pumpers make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $81,930 a year. The top 25% earn $66,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,140 a year, and a quarter of pump operators, except wellhead pumpers earn $24,040 or less.
How many pump operators, except wellhead pumpers work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 120 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.