How much does an oil refinery operator make?
a year · about $47 an hour
A typical oil refinery operator in the United States makes $96,710 a year, about $47 an hour, about 1.9× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? In an O*NET survey, 62% of respondents in this job said they usually work more than 40 hours a week.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $57,110 and $115,880How do you become one?
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.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Louisiana ($106,640), lowest in Indiana ($67,420).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| 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 |
Official definition: 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.
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