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Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary in Connecticut: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary really buy you in Connecticut?

Connecticut is 6.4% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$56,880
Median annual (2025)
-6.0%
Real Purchasing Power
$53,458
COL-adjusted (RPP=106.4)

Connecticut Cost of Living Index

Connecticut's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 106.4, meaning prices are 6.4% higher the national average. A Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earning $56,880 in Connecticut has the equivalent purchasing power of $53,458 in an average-cost US state.

CT: 106.4
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Connecticut's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $46,070 $43,298 $-2,771
25th Percentile (P25) $46,760 $43,947 $-2,812
Median (P50) $56,880 $53,458 $-3,421
75th Percentile (P75) $76,790 $72,171 $-4,618
90th Percentile (P90) $100,340 $94,304 $-6,035
Key Insight

While $56,880 sounds high, Connecticut's elevated cost of living erases 6% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $53,458. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Connecticut Is a High-Cost State

RPP 106.4

Connecticut's RPP of 106.4 puts it 6.4% above the national baseline cost of living. A Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-6.0%

After applying Connecticut's RPP, the $56,880 median salary translates to $53,459 in real terms — a 6.0% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#42 / 42

Connecticut ranks #42 of 42 — bottom quartile for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$122,088
RPP 102.0
$117,704
RPP 90.6
3. Ohio
$114,918
RPP 91.5
4. Kansas
$113,200
RPP 90.0
5. Utah
$112,148
RPP 94.5
6. Wyoming
$109,194
RPP 91.9
7. Montana
$108,870
RPP 90.3
$107,139
RPP 88.8
$105,370
RPP 91.8
$104,994
RPP 88.7

Connecticut ranks #42 out of 42 states for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers take-home pay in Connecticut after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Connecticut after cost of living?

A Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Connecticut earns a median salary of $56,880 per year. After adjusting for Connecticut's cost of living (RPP=106.4), the real purchasing power is $53,458 — a -6.0% difference.

Is Connecticut expensive to live in?

Connecticut's cost of living is 6.4% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Connecticut is 106.4 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Connecticut: $56,880 x (100 / 106.4) = $53,458. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Connecticut offset the salary?

Partially — a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers's nominal salary of $56,880 in Connecticut has 6.0% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $53,458. However, Connecticut may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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