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Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers out-earn First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by $22K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers land at $96,710 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gauger programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers is Alaska ($124,530); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$96,710
$74,450
Hourly rate
$46.5/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$57,110
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$115,880
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
33,160
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-2.8%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Alaska
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers median pay.

State
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Alaska
$124,530
$77,960
Louisiana
$106,640
$77,520
New Jersey
$104,540
$81,110
Washington
$103,620
$79,310
California
$103,250
$76,840
Minnesota
$101,910
$78,550
Wyoming
$100,350
$90,390
Colorado
$93,750
$78,890
North Dakota
$93,130
$76,350
New York
$88,880
$78,580
Maryland
$78,580
$78,520
New Hampshire
$70,050
$79,310
Maine
$65,150
$78,970
South Carolina
$58,160
$77,500
Connecticut
$56,880
$83,150

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earn more nationally. The median is $96,710 for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $22K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -2.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers get paid the most?

Alaska is the top-paying state for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers at $124,530/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earn $124,530 vs. $77,960 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →