Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
The median pay for a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $86,980/year ($41.82/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $74K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.49), that's roughly $83,242 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,857/month — about 34% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $87K get you in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Baltimore-Columbia-Towson’s Regional Price Parity (104.49). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Entry-level petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers (10th percentile) start around $74K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K. Top earners bring in $126K or more, a $52K spread from bottom to top.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $107K | +10% | 3,640 |
| Alaska | $105K | +8% | 280 |
| Ohio | $104K | +7% | 720 |
| Kansas | $102K | +5% | 1,030 |
| Utah | $102K | +4% | 660 |
| New Jersey | $101K | +4% | 470 |
| Washington | $100K | +2% | 1,030 |
| Louisiana | $99K | +1% | 3,520 |
| Minnesota | $99K | +1% | 570 |
| Illinois | $98K | +1% | 1,100 |
| North Dakota | $98K | +0% | 240 |
| Texas | $98K | +0% | 12,060 |
| Montana | $98K | +0% | 570 |
| Wyoming | $96K | -1% | 700 |
| Iowa | $94K | -4% | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $90K | -8% | 1,340 |
| Hawaii | $87K | -10% | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $87K | -10% | 1,030 |
| Michigan | $87K | -10% | 170 |
| Tennessee | $84K | -14% | 160 |
| Nebraska | $84K | -14% | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $83K | -15% | 60 |
| Maryland | $82K | -16% | 130 |
| Arkansas | $81K | -16% | 280 |
| West Virginia | $81K | -17% | 380 |
| Virginia | $81K | -17% | 100 |
| Kentucky | $80K | -18% | 610 |
| Georgia | $80K | -18% | 130 |
| Missouri | $78K | -20% | 60 |
| Indiana | $77K | -21% | 350 |
| Mississippi | $77K | -21% | 1,080 |
| New York | $75K | -24% | 120 |
| Arizona | $73K | -25% | 180 |
| North Carolina | $72K | -26% | 130 |
| South Carolina | $69K | -29% | 90 |
| New Mexico | $67K | -31% | 400 |
| Maine | $62K | -36% | 100 |
| Florida | $61K | -38% | 180 |
| Nevada | $56K | -42% | 40 |
| Alabama | $51K | -47% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 40 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Baltimore-Columbia-Towson numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median is $86,980 a year, that works out to about $42 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,870, and experienced petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers can clear $126,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,468/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,857/month, which eats 34% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers salary go in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson has a Regional Price Parity of 104.49 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers salary is worth about $83,242 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.