Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary
The median pay for a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in New Jersey is $104,540/year ($50.26/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $123K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.34), that's roughly $105,235 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,067/month, about 32.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of New Jersey. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $105K get you in New Jersey?
About petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in New Jersey
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay in New Jersey tracks closely to the national median, $105K locally vs. $97K nationwide, a 8% difference. Rent runs $2,067/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 99.34) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $105K. Top earners bring in $123K or more, a $43K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Jersey numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
Can a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gauger afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Jersey?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $105K, rent takes 32% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,067/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in New Jersey?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers typically earn — is $80K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,796/month. At HUD’s $2,067/month FMR, rent would take 43% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gauger a high-paying job in New Jersey?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $105K locally vs. $97K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers?
New Jersey pays $105K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $105K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in New Jersey?
The median is $104,540 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,930, and experienced petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers can clear $122,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $105K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,450/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,067/month, which eats 32% 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey has a Regional Price Parity of 99.34 (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 $105,235 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.