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Occupation · SOC 51-8093

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

There are 33,160 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $96,710 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
33,160
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$96,710
Median pay a year
Middle half: $77,510–$106,320
2,700
Annual openings
10-year change: −1.9%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 53 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $84,100 · LCA filings 05,510$84,1000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $103,250 · LCA filings 01,700$103,2500
New Orleans–Metairie, LAMedian pay $107,490 · LCA filings 01,560$107,4900
Beaumont–Port Arthur, TXMedian pay $100,660 · LCA filings 01,480$100,6600
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $117,660 · LCA filings 0870$117,6600
Corpus Christi, TXMedian pay $78,630 · LCA filings 0820$78,6300
Baton Rouge, LAMedian pay $108,420 · LCA filings 0660$108,4200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $111,370 · LCA filings 0620$111,3700
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $105,580 · LCA filings 0590$105,5800
Tulsa, OKMedian pay $107,170 · LCA filings 0570$107,1700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 870 · LCA filings 0$117,6608700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 620 · LCA filings 0$111,3706200
Salt Lake City–Murray, UTEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$109,3901200
Baton Rouge, LAEmployment 660 · LCA filings 0$108,4206600
Toledo, OHEmployment 320 · LCA filings 0$107,5203200

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $71,448 · Level III $84,760 · Level IV $98,051$58,157$71,448$84,760$98,051
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $96,970 · Level III $106,850 · Level IV $116,730$87,090$96,970$106,850$116,730
New Orleans–Metairie, LALevel II $83,762 · Level III $97,011 · Level IV $110,282$70,491$83,762$97,011$110,282
Beaumont–Port Arthur, TXLevel II $87,568 · Level III $96,554 · Level IV $105,518$78,603$87,568$96,554$105,518
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $104,790 · Level III $114,712 · Level IV $124,613$94,890$104,790$114,712$124,613
Corpus Christi, TXLevel II $72,966 · Level III $83,595 · Level IV $94,203$62,358$72,966$83,595$94,203
Baton Rouge, LALevel II $77,272 · Level III $93,392 · Level IV $109,491$61,173$77,272$93,392$109,491
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $88,525 · Level III $100,610 · Level IV $112,694$76,440$88,525$100,610$112,694
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $99,091 · Level III $106,683 · Level IV $114,275$91,499$99,091$106,683$114,275
Tulsa, OKLevel II $94,266 · Level III $102,086 · Level IV $109,907$86,445$94,266$102,086$109,907

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Physical Science Technologies/TechniciansCIP 41.03STEM OPT · up to 36 months53STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.09STEM OPT · up to 36 months4STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in every metro area

All 53 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology