Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary in Oregon: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

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

Oregon is 6.6% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-04-02

Nominal Salary
$97,740
Median annual (2024)
-6.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$91,688
COL-adjusted (RPP=106.6)

Oregon Cost of Living Index

Oregon's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 106.6, meaning prices are 6.6% higher the national average. A Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earning $97,740 in Oregon has the equivalent purchasing power of $91,688 in an average-cost US state.

OR: 106.6
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 Oregon's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $96,080 $90,131 $-5,948
25th Percentile (P25) $97,740 $91,688 $-6,051
Median (P50) $97,740 $91,688 $-6,051
75th Percentile (P75) $97,760 $91,707 $-6,052
90th Percentile (P90) $97,760 $91,707 $-6,052
Key Insight

While $97,740 sounds high, Oregon's elevated cost of living erases 6% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $91,688. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

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. Montana
$118,361
RPP 90.3
2. Kansas
$110,566
RPP 90.0
3. Ohio
$109,978
RPP 91.5
$109,368
RPP 101.3
$108,838
RPP 88.7
$106,454
RPP 91.1
$105,463
RPP 90.6
8. Wyoming
$103,460
RPP 91.9
$101,637
RPP 97.7
10. Alaska
$101,049
RPP 102.0

Oregon ranks #17 out of 39 states for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Oregon earns a median salary of $97,740 per year. After adjusting for Oregon's cost of living (RPP=106.6), the real purchasing power is $91,688 — a -6.2% difference.

Is Oregon expensive to live in?

Oregon's cost of living is 6.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Oregon is 106.6 (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 Oregon: $97,740 x (100 / 106.6) = $91,688. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

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

Partially — a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers's nominal salary of $97,740 in Oregon has 6.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $91,688. However, Oregon may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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