Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers Salary
The median pay for a pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in Washington is $57,030/year ($27.42/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $56K at the entry level to $116K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $55,906 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 46.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Washington. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $57K get you in Washington?
About pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
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What this looks like in Washington
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $57K locally vs. $62K nationwide, a 8% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 45.9% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (10th percentile) start around $56K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K. Top earners bring in $116K or more, a $60K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track pump operators, except wellhead pumpers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a pump operators, except wellhead pumper afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $57K, rent takes 45.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new pump operators, except wellhead pumpers typically earn — is $56K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,359/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 54% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $57K locally vs. $62K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers?
Washington pays $57K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $56K — below the national median.
How much do pump operators, except wellhead pumpers make in Washington?
The median is $57,030 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,980, and experienced pump operators, except wellhead pumpers can clear $115,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,989/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 45.9% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers salary is worth about $55,906 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.
