Refinery & Process Operator training programs & pay
Average pay $90,630 (all experience levels); median $96,710; top 10% earn over $115,880. Refinery, gas plant and chemical plant operators run the pumps, compressors, reactors and control rooms that turn crude oil, natural gas and feedstocks into fuel and chemicals. Most start with a process technology certificate or associate degree, then train on the job.
- $90,630Average pay (U.S., all experience levels)
- $57,110Entry-level / bottom 10%
- $96,710Median pay (U.S.)
- $115,880Top 10% earn over
33,160 jobs nationwide · 209 listed programs in 36 states. Average = BLS mean across all experience levels, not starting pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. O*NET 51-8093.00.
Highest-paying states (BLS median)
BLS wage data
What refinery and process operators earn
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, refinery and process operators in the United States earned an average (mean) of $90,630 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $96,710; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $57,110 and the top 10% earned more than $115,880.
Annual wages for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers (SOC 51-8093) from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. It is in our Average pay $65k+ (all experience levels) group: the national average (mean, all experience levels) is $90,630; the median is $96,710 and the entry-level / bottom 10% figure is $57,110.
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $57,110 | $77,510 | $96,710 | $106,320 | $115,880 | $90,630 | 33,160 |
BLS splits this work into three occupations. This page leads with refinery operators (SOC 51-8093) and also shows gas plant operators (51-8092) and chemical plant and system operators (51-8091), each with its own BLS figures. Schools are matched by process, chemical and petroleum technology CIP codes (41.0301, 41.0303, 15.0903), which the NCES crosswalk maps to 51-8091 and 51-8092; 51-8093 has no crosswalk program code.
All three operator occupations on this page
Each row is a separate BLS occupation with its own national figures.
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers (51-8093) | $57,110 | $77,510 | $96,710 | $106,320 | $115,880 | $90,630 | 33,160 |
| Gas Plant Operators (51-8092) | $61,350 | $76,870 | $87,820 | $100,870 | $115,520 | $88,710 | 18,030 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators (51-8091) | $48,400 | $60,330 | $78,120 | $98,660 | $111,930 | $79,970 | 16,610 |
Training & tuition
What training costs
Tuition comes only from published College Scorecard figures. Apprenticeship sponsors do not publish tuition in federal files, so they show “Contact program.”
| Program group | Lowest | Middle | Highest | What the figure is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools with published tuition (207) | $1,070 | $4,305 | $29,630 | College Scorecard annual tuition & fees (in-state low end; out-of-state high end where they differ) |
Occupation profile
| O*NET-SOC code | 51-8093.00 |
|---|---|
| O*NET title | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers |
| BLS SOC | 51-8093 |
| Job zone | Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Sample job titles | Board Operator, Crude Unit Operator, Gauger, Hydrotreater Operator, Operator, Outside Operator |
Typical tasks (O*NET)
- Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
- Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
- Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
Programs
Featured process operator programs
12 of 209 listed programs, schools with published tuition first. Pick a state below for the full list.
| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aims Community College Petroleum Technology/Technician | Greeley, CO | Associate degree | 0 | $2,426–$12,266 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| Aims Community College Petroleum Technology/Technician | Greeley, CO | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 1 | $2,426–$12,266 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| Alvin Community College Chemical Technology/Technician | Alvin, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 85 | $1,906–$4,402 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| Alvin Community College Chemical Technology/Technician | Alvin, TX | Associate degree | 38 | $1,906–$4,402 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| Arkansas Tech University Chemical Technology/Technician | Russellville, AR | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $8,901–$15,076 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| Ashland Community and Technical College Chemical Technology/Technician | Ashland, KY | Certificate (1-2 years) | 23 | $4,872–$6,672 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| Ashland Community and Technical College Chemical Technology/Technician | Ashland, KY | Associate degree | 22 | $4,872–$6,672 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| Ashland Community and Technical College Chemical Technology/Technician | Ashland, KY | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 28 | $4,872–$6,672 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| Augusta Technical College Chemical Technology/Technician | Augusta, GA | Associate degree | 1 | $4,282–$7,492 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| Ball State University Chemical Technology/Technician | Muncie, IN | Associate degree | 0 | $11,082–$29,630 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| Bellingham Technical College Chemical Technology/Technician | Bellingham, WA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 9 | $5,223–$6,672 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| Bellingham Technical College Chemical Technology/Technician | Bellingham, WA | Associate degree | 5 | $5,223–$6,672 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
By state
Refinery & Process Operator pay and programs by state
Highest state medians:
| State | Listed programs | Median pay | 90th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 | $73,510 | $93,240 | 90 |
| Alaska | 2 | $124,530 | $167,880 | 370 |
| Arizona | 0 | $60,070 | $106,360 | 180 |
| Arkansas | 3 | $86,580 | $96,770 | 220 |
| California | 15 | $103,250 | $128,840 | 3,360 |
| Colorado | 3 | $93,750 | $104,590 | 120 |
| Connecticut | 0 | $56,880 | $100,340 | — |
| Delaware | 3 | — | — | — |
| Florida | 15 | $63,480 | $97,000 | 170 |
| Georgia | 2 | $57,180 | $98,120 | 240 |
| Hawaii | 0 | $94,900 | $130,310 | 280 |
| Illinois | 5 | $102,890 | $111,380 | 1,070 |
| Indiana | 5 | $67,420 | $104,020 | 520 |
| Iowa | 0 | $90,160 | $99,760 | 70 |
| Kansas | 6 | $101,880 | $109,260 | 950 |
| Kentucky | 8 | $78,670 | $106,810 | 520 |
| Louisiana | 11 | $106,640 | $111,060 | 3,490 |
| Maine | 0 | $65,150 | $92,810 | 60 |
| Maryland | 0 | $78,580 | $101,800 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Michigan | 8 | $84,030 | $101,820 | 180 |
| Minnesota | 0 | $101,910 | $128,670 | 550 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $75,180 | $98,100 | 860 |
| Missouri | 1 | $80,960 | $118,760 | 100 |
| Montana | 0 | $98,310 | $108,160 | 550 |
| Nevada | 0 | $62,420 | $78,560 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | 0 | $70,050 | $82,930 | 120 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $104,540 | $122,800 | 420 |
| New Mexico | 4 | $74,340 | $104,790 | 420 |
| New York | 4 | $88,880 | $105,080 | 70 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $80,060 | $98,940 | 130 |
| North Dakota | 5 | $93,130 | $118,280 | 950 |
| Ohio | 10 | $105,150 | $107,530 | 800 |
| Oklahoma | 2 | $95,140 | $107,170 | 1,390 |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | $83,870 | $105,580 | 820 |
| Puerto Rico | 3 | $44,470 | $82,360 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | 2 | — | — | — |
| South Carolina | 0 | $58,160 | $96,140 | 70 |
| South Dakota | 1 | — | — | — |
| Tennessee | 3 | $96,730 | $105,050 | 170 |
| Texas | 50 | $84,100 | $108,650 | 10,510 |
| Utah | 2 | $105,980 | $109,390 | 600 |
| Virginia | 2 | $58,970 | $103,390 | 250 |
| Washington | 6 | $103,620 | $114,980 | 930 |
| West Virginia | 9 | $83,910 | $97,400 | 330 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $71,450 | $103,060 | — |
| Wyoming | 2 | $100,350 | $114,040 | 560 |
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FAQ
Refinery & Process Operator pay and training: quick answers
How much do refinery and process operators make?
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, refinery and process operators in the United States earned an average (mean) of $90,630 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $96,710; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $57,110 and the top 10% earned more than $115,880.
What is entry-level pay for refinery and process operators?
BLS does not publish a starting wage. The closest federal figure is the 10th percentile, which we label entry-level / bottom 10%: $57,110 a year nationally in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. The median is $96,710.
Which states pay refinery and process operators the most?
By BLS average (mean) annual wage, the top states are Alaska ($129,970), California ($104,560), Minnesota ($103,380), in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
How many process operator training programs are listed?
We list 209 in 36 states: 209 school programs from the NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions file (3,165 graduates that year). Listings are matched from public files and are not endorsements.
How much does process operator training cost?
For the 207 listed schools with published College Scorecard tuition and fees, the annual figure ranges from $1,070 to $29,630 (middle $4,305). Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs, and the DOL file does not list tuition.
Sources
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (news release USDL-26-0725; data tables). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- Occupation: O*NET OnLine, 51-8093.00 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers, retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- Apprenticeship sponsors: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 (Partner Finder).
- Schools & graduates: U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code (completions file; CIP-SOC crosswalk).
- Tuition: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID (source).
Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.