How much does a oil refinery operator make?
Answer: A typical oil refinery operator in the United States makes $96,710 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 33,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Oil refinery operator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $57,110 | $96,710 | $115,880 | about 33,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $106,640 | about 3,000 |
| Utah | $105,980 | about 600 |
| Ohio | $105,150 | about 800 |
| Washington | $103,620 | about 930 |
| California | $103,250 | about 3,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, training for specialized or harder tasks, the employer or industry, and location. Useful certifications may help, and longer hours can change total pay.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a oil refinery operator do?
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
What's a typical day like?
They watch screens and gauges for changes in temperature, pressure, and oil flow, then adjust pumps and valves. They also patrol tanks and equipment to check safety and record readings.
How to get this job
Finish high school or earn a GED, then apply for an entry-level job; employers train new operators on the job, from days up to a year. In the U.S., a registered apprenticeship is another route.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
In an O*NET survey, 62% of respondents in this job said they usually work more than 40 hours a week.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-8093.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes518093.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-8093.00
- www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations/listings?occupationCode=51-809
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY