Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
The median pay for a pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $63,960/year ($30.75/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $65,305 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,713/month — about 40.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $64K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk’s Regional Price Parity (97.94). 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.
About pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K. Top earners bring in $66K or more, a $14K spread from bottom to top.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $85K | +41% | 110 |
| Washington | $84K | +40% | 40 |
| New Jersey | $82K | +36% | 290 |
| Arizona | $81K | +36% | N/A |
| Ohio | $81K | +35% | 90 |
| Wyoming | $79K | +31% | 240 |
| North Dakota | $76K | +27% | 230 |
| Utah | $74K | +23% | 200 |
| Alaska | $73K | +22% | 140 |
| Montana | $72K | +19% | 70 |
| Virginia | $66K | +9% | 210 |
| Minnesota | $62K | +3% | 60 |
| Mississippi | $61K | +2% | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $61K | +2% | 80 |
| Louisiana | $61K | +1% | 1,510 |
| Indiana | $61K | +1% | N/A |
| Florida | $60K | +1% | 760 |
| Idaho | $60K | +0% | N/A |
| Texas | $59K | -2% | 4,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $57K | -5% | 330 |
| Oregon | $56K | -7% | 480 |
| West Virginia | $55K | -8% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $55K | -9% | 100 |
| New York | $54K | -10% | 170 |
| Tennessee | $52K | -13% | N/A |
| Alabama | $52K | -14% | 170 |
| New Mexico | $51K | -14% | 110 |
| California | $51K | -14% | 1,270 |
| Nevada | $46K | -24% | 50 |
| Kansas | $44K | -26% | N/A |
| North Carolina | $43K | -28% | 310 |
| Kentucky | $43K | -28% | 70 |
| Missouri | $42K | -30% | N/A |
| Georgia | $37K | -39% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 34 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track pump operators, except wellhead pumpers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do pump operators, except wellhead pumpers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $63,960 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,830, and experienced pump operators, except wellhead pumpers can clear $65,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,185/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month, which eats 40.9% 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 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers salary go in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (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 $65,305 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.