Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
The median pay for a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $103,280/year ($49.66/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $71K at the entry level to $111K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.63), that's roughly $104,715 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,573/month, or 22.7% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $103K get you in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
About petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Entry-level petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers (10th percentile) start around $71K. Mid-career wages sit at $103K.Top earners bring in $111K or more - a $39K 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 |
Track petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median is $103,280 a year - that works out to about $49.66 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,460, and experienced petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers can clear $110,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $103K enough to live in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,754/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,573/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 23.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers salary go in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands has a Regional Price Parity of 98.63 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers salary is worth about $104,715 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.