Gas Plant Operators vs Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Gas Plant Operators

Median Salary
$83,507
Average (Mean)
$82,042
Employed Nationwide
14,960
VS

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

Median Salary
$84,461
Average (Mean)
$83,376
Employed Nationwide
32,130
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earns $954 more (1.1%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $83,507 $84,461
Average (Mean) Salary $82,042 $83,376
Total Employment 14,960 32,130
States with Higher Pay 20 17

Salary by State: Gas Plant Operators vs Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Gas Plant Operators pays more in 20 states; Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pays more in 17.

State Gas Plant Operators Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Difference
Alabama $65,190
$45,120
+$20,070
Alaska $132,360
$103,070
+$29,290
Arizona $84,220
$93,560
$-9,340
Arkansas $79,440
$73,070
+$6,370
California $116,400
$104,410
+$11,990
Colorado $86,820
$89,580
$-2,760
Florida $65,240
$62,650
+$2,590
Illinois $82,780
$110,790
$-28,010
Indiana $62,510
$60,560
+$1,950
Iowa $82,800
$88,940
$-6,140
Kansas $74,980
$99,510
$-24,530
Kentucky $63,900
$62,700
+$1,200
Louisiana $96,800
$95,550
+$1,250
Maryland $80,930
$74,170
+$6,760
Michigan $95,830
$83,490
+$12,340
Minnesota $99,150
$99,300
$-150
Missouri $84,880
$96,980
$-12,100
Montana $85,010
$106,880
$-21,870
Nevada $78,700
$54,250
+$24,450
New Jersey $101,580
$96,420
+$5,160
New Mexico $78,220
$75,820
+$2,400
New York $78,380
$64,470
+$13,910
North Carolina $69,070
$68,040
+$1,030
North Dakota $107,260
$96,540
+$10,720
Ohio $55,740
$100,630
$-44,890
Oklahoma $79,050
$86,880
$-7,830
Oregon $91,300
$97,740
$-6,440
Pennsylvania $78,160
$79,730
$-1,570
South Carolina $76,990
$78,520
$-1,530
Tennessee $63,530
$77,650
$-14,120
Texas $88,510
$93,750
$-5,240
Utah $86,520
$94,290
$-7,770
Virginia $83,380
$64,060
+$19,320
Washington $100,480
$92,150
+$8,330
West Virginia $75,700
$72,900
+$2,800
Wisconsin $82,880
$80,180
+$2,700
Wyoming $84,650
$95,080
$-10,430

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Gas Plant Operators or Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
On average across all states, a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earns more than a Gas Plant Operators. The national median salary difference is $954 (1.1%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Gas Plant Operators earn more than a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
A Gas Plant Operators earns a higher median salary than a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in 20 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pays more in 17 states.
What is the median salary for a Gas Plant Operators vs Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
The national median salary for a Gas Plant Operators is $83,507 per year, compared to $84,461 for a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Gas Plant Operators or Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
There are more people employed as Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers. BLS reports approximately 14,960 Gas Plant Operators positions and 32,130 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Gas Plant Operators or Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
Both Gas Plant Operators and Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.