---
title: "Refinery & Process Operator Programs in Texas: Pay & Tuition"
canonical: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/
description: "Refinery & Process Operator pay in Texas: BLS average $84,350 (all experience levels), median $84,100, bottom 10% $45,670. 50 listed programs."
updated: 2026-11-03
wage_source: "BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15"
---

1. [Home](https://highpayingtrades.com/)
2. [Trades](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/)
3. [Refinery & Process Operator](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/)
4. Texas
 Texas

# Refinery & Process Operator programs in *Texas*

50 listed process operator programs in Texas, plus BLS pay data for the state and 6 metro areas.

- **$84,350** Average pay (state, all experience levels)
- **$45,670** Entry-level / bottom 10%
- **$84,100** Median pay (state)
- **$108,650** Top 10% earn over

10,510 jobs in Texas · 50 listed programs. Average = BLS mean across all experience levels, not starting pay. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.

Cities with listed programs

- [Houston 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/houston/)
- [The Woodlands 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/the-woodlands/)
- [Baytown 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/baytown/)
- [Beeville 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/beeville/)
- [Corpus Christi 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/corpus-christi/)
- [Lake Jackson 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/lake-jackson/)
- [Orange 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/orange/)
- [Port Arthur 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/port-arthur/)

BLS wage data

## Refinery & Process Operator pay in Texas

Annual wages from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.

| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Texas | $45,670 | $75,210 | $84,100 | $100,440 | $108,650 | $84,350 | 10,510 |
| United States | $57,110 | $77,510 | $96,710 | $106,320 | $115,880 | $90,630 | 33,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.

### Metro areas

| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $79,510 | $87,730 | $100,660 | $105,880 | $115,880 | $96,630 | 1,480 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $45,670 | $77,560 | $84,100 | $98,100 | $114,350 | $84,880 | 5,510 |
| Midland, TX | $46,950 | $66,200 | $80,540 | $97,530 | $101,300 | $80,360 | 310 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $56,750 | $77,220 | $78,630 | $98,690 | $113,140 | $83,690 | 820 |
| Lubbock, TX | $50,980 | $62,550 | $77,240 | $80,430 | $95,760 | $73,010 | 60 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $36,140 | $48,180 | $67,940 | $92,560 | $104,870 | $70,240 | 400 |
Metropolitan area estimates, BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. Only areas BLS published are shown.

Programs

## Listed programs in Texas

Every process operator program we matched in Texas. Schools with published tuition are listed first.

| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alvin Community College](https://www.alvincollege.edu/) 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](https://www.alvincollege.edu/) 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 |
| [Brazosport College](https://www.brazosport.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Lake Jackson, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 78 | $2,772–$4,884 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Brazosport College](https://www.brazosport.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Lake Jackson, TX | Associate degree | 70 | $2,772–$4,884 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Brazosport College](https://www.brazosport.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Lake Jackson, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 101 | $2,772–$4,884 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Coastal Bend College](https://www.coastalbend.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Beeville, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 3 | $2,916–$5,226 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Coastal Bend College](https://www.coastalbend.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Beeville, TX | Associate degree | 0 | $2,916–$5,226 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Coastal Bend College](https://www.coastalbend.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Beeville, TX | Certificate (2-4 years) | 0 | $2,916–$5,226 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [College of the Mainland](https://www.com.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Texas City, TX | Associate degree | 57 | $2,310–$4,140 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Del Mar College](https://www.delmar.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Corpus Christi, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 13 | $3,440–$6,050 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Del Mar College](https://www.delmar.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Corpus Christi, TX | Associate degree | 83 | $3,440–$6,050 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Del Mar College](https://www.delmar.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Corpus Christi, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 16 | $3,440–$6,050 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Houston Community College](https://www.hccs.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Houston, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 2 | $2,040–$5,460 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Houston Community College](https://www.hccs.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Houston, TX | Associate degree | 5 | $2,040–$5,460 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Houston Community College](https://www.hccs.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Houston, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 9 | $2,040–$5,460 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Houston Community College](https://www.hccs.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Houston, TX | Associate degree | 15 | $2,040–$5,460 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Kilgore College](https://www.kilgore.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Kilgore, TX | Associate degree | 17 | $2,160–$5,256 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lamar Institute of Technology](https://www.lit.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Beaumont, TX | Associate degree | 98 | $2,844–$12,564 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lamar Institute of Technology](https://www.lit.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Beaumont, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 5 | $2,844–$12,564 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lamar State College-Orange](https://www.lsco.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Orange, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 67 | $3,540–$17,280 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lamar State College-Orange](https://www.lsco.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Orange, TX | Associate degree | 38 | $3,540–$17,280 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lamar State College-Orange](https://www.lsco.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Orange, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 9 | $3,540–$17,280 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lamar State College-Port Arthur](https://www.lamarpa.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Port Arthur, TX | Associate degree | 36 | $1,770–$8,070 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lamar State College-Port Arthur](https://www.lamarpa.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Port Arthur, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 41 | $1,770–$8,070 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lamar State College-Port Arthur](https://www.lamarpa.edu/) Chemical Process Technology | Port Arthur, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 7 | $1,770–$8,070 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0303 |
| [Lee College](https://www.lee.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Baytown, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 97 | $2,520–$5,190 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lee College](https://www.lee.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Baytown, TX | Associate degree | 74 | $2,520–$5,190 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lee College](https://www.lee.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Baytown, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 15 | $2,520–$5,190 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lone Star College System](https://www.lonestar.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | The Woodlands, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $3,330–$9,390 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Lone Star College System](https://www.lonestar.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | The Woodlands, TX | Associate degree | 0 | $3,330–$9,390 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Lone Star College System](https://www.lonestar.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | The Woodlands, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 26 | $3,330–$9,390 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Lone Star College System](https://www.lonestar.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | The Woodlands, TX | Associate degree | 29 | $3,330–$9,390 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Midland College](https://www.midland.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Midland, TX | Associate degree | 0 | $3,180–$6,180 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Midland College](https://www.midland.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Midland, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $3,180–$6,180 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Navarro College](https://www.navarrocollege.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Corsicana, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 1 | $3,008–$6,578 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Navarro College](https://www.navarrocollege.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Corsicana, TX | Associate degree | 2 | $3,008–$6,578 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Palo Alto College](https://alamo.edu/pac/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | San Antonio, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $3,412–$9,952 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Palo Alto College](https://alamo.edu/pac/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | San Antonio, TX | Associate degree | 0 | $3,412–$9,952 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Palo Alto College](https://alamo.edu/pac/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | San Antonio, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $3,412–$9,952 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [San Jacinto Community College](https://www.sanjac.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Pasadena, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 193 | $2,490–$6,690 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [San Jacinto Community College](https://www.sanjac.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Pasadena, TX | Associate degree | 195 | $2,490–$6,690 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Texas State Technical College](https://www.tstc.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Waco, TX | Associate degree | 0 | $8,544–$13,144 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Texas State Technical College](https://www.tstc.edu/) Chemical Process Technology | Waco, TX | Associate degree | 15 | $8,544–$13,144 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0303 |
| [The University of Texas Permian Basin](https://www.utpb.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Odessa, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 12 | $9,236–$21,836 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Victoria College](https://www.victoriacollege.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Victoria, TX | Associate degree | 24 | $2,976–$5,328 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Victoria College](https://www.victoriacollege.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Victoria, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 33 | $2,976–$5,328 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Western Texas College](https://www.wtc.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Snyder, TX | Associate degree | 2 | $3,300–$6,150 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Western Texas College](https://www.wtc.edu/) Petroleum Technology/Technician | Snyder, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 3 | $3,300–$6,150 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0903 |
| [Wharton County Junior College](https://www.wcjc.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Wharton, TX | Associate degree | 23 | $3,204–$5,976 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
| [Wharton County Junior College](https://www.wcjc.edu/) Chemical Technology/Technician | Wharton, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 136 | $3,204–$5,976 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 41.0301 |
Schools: NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code; “Graduates 2023-24” is the number of first-major certificates or associate degrees the school awarded in that program from July 2023 to June 2024 (IPEDS). Tuition: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (updated 2026-10-15), matched by IPEDS unit ID; it is the published figure, not a quote. Apprenticeship sponsors: DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file (retrieved 2026-10-29); apprenticeships are typically paid, so no tuition is listed — contact the program.

### Browse by city

- [Houston 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/houston/)
- [The Woodlands 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/the-woodlands/)
- [Baytown 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/baytown/)
- [Beeville 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/beeville/)
- [Corpus Christi 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/corpus-christi/)
- [Lake Jackson 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/lake-jackson/)
- [Orange 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/orange/)
- [Port Arthur 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/port-arthur/)
- [San Antonio 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/san-antonio/)
- [Alvin 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/alvin/)
- [Beaumont 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/beaumont/)
- [Corsicana 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/corsicana/)
- [Midland 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/midland/)
- [Pasadena 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/pasadena/)
- [Snyder 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/snyder/)
- [Victoria 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/victoria/)
- [Waco 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/waco/)
- [Wharton 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/wharton/)
- [Kilgore 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/kilgore/)
- [Odessa 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/odessa/)
- [Texas City 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/texas-city/)

Related resources

## Keep researching

[**Registered apprenticeships in Texas** The full DOL sponsor list for the state. · RegisteredTradeSchools.com](https://registeredtradeschools.com/apprenticeships/tx/) [**Trade schools approved for the GI Bill** Search programs that accept VA education benefits. · VeteranTradeSchools.com](https://veterantradeschools.com/)

## 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](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm); [data tables](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm)). 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](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-8093.00), 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](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/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](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/data/C2024_A.zip); [CIP-SOC crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Files/CIP2020_SOC2018_Crosswalk.xlsx)).
- **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](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/)).

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.

---
Canonical HTML: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/texas/
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm). Programs: NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions; DOL Office of Apprenticeship. Tuition: College Scorecard.