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Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Iowa (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Iowa? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

62% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Iowa salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$61,400
$5,117/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$90,160
$7,513/mo
Senior (P90)
$99,760
$8,313/mo

Iowa vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$61,400
National: $59,971
+2.4%
Mid-Career (Median)
$90,160
National: $84,923
+6.2%
Senior (P90)
$99,760
National: $107,134
-6.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Iowa spans from $61,400 at entry-level to $99,760 at senior level — a difference of $38,360 per year.

P10
$61K
P25
$70K
Median
$90K
P75
$98K
P90
$99K

Career Growth Premium: +62%

Senior Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerss in Iowa earn $38,360 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$38,360
Monthly Difference
+$3,197
Hourly Difference
+$18.44
Growth Multiple
1.6x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary increases with experience in Iowa, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $61,400 $5,117 $29.52
Early Career P25 $70,890 $5,908 $34.08
Mid-Career Median $90,160 $7,513 $43.35
Experienced P75 $98,340 $8,195 $47.28
Senior / Expert P90 $99,760 $8,313 $47.96
Key Insight

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Iowa has a moderate salary progression with a 62% growth from entry-level ($61,400) to senior ($99,760). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($90,160) and P90 ($99,760) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Iowa Compares to Other States

Where does Iowa rank for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers senior-level salaries? Compare Iowa's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$167,880
Entry: $83K
+101%
2
$130,310
Entry: $71K
+83%
3
$128,840
Entry: $72K
+77%
4
$128,670
Entry: $70K
+82%
5
$122,800
Entry: $79K
+54%
6
$118,760
Entry: $59K
+98%
7
$118,280
Entry: $66K
+78%
8
$114,980
Entry: $76K
+49%
9
$114,040
Entry: $69K
+65%
10
$111,380
Entry: $93K
+19%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?

Entry-level Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $61,400 per year, or $5,116 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $70,890. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make?

Senior Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $99,760 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $98,340. This represents a career premium of 62% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?

The career salary growth potential for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerss is 62%. Entry-level professionals start at $61,400, while senior-level can earn up to $99,760 — a difference of $38,360 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerss is Iowa, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $99,760 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Iowa from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Iowa.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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