Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers Salary
The median pay for a pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in Louisiana is $64,110/year ($30.82/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.28), which stretches that salary to about $73,453 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,191/month, or 28.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Louisiana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $64K get you in Louisiana?
About pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
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What this looks like in Louisiana
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers pay in Louisiana tracks closely to the national median, $64K locally vs. $62K nationwide, a 4% difference. Rent runs $1,191/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.28 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 13% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Louisiana
Entry-level pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary by metro in Louisiana
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $80K | +25% | 100 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | $64K | +0% | 100 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | $63K | -2% | 70 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | $38K | -40% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track pump operators, except wellhead pumpers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Louisiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a pump operators, except wellhead pumper afford a 2BR apartment alone in Louisiana?
Yes — at the median salary of $64K, rent takes 27.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,191/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in Louisiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new pump operators, except wellhead pumpers typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,379/month. At HUD’s $1,191/month FMR, rent would take 50% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is pump operators, except wellhead pumper a high-paying job in Louisiana?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $64K locally vs. $62K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Louisiana compare to the national average for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers?
Louisiana pays $64K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.28), the purchasing-power equivalent is $73K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do pump operators, except wellhead pumpers make in Louisiana?
The median is $64,110 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,650, and experienced pump operators, except wellhead pumpers can clear $78,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Louisiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,279/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,191/month, which eats 27.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a pump operators, except wellhead pumpers salary go in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a Regional Price Parity of 87.28 (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 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers salary is worth about $73,453 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do pump operators, except wellhead pumpers 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.