SOC 51-8093 · Pittsburgh, PA metro

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary in Pittsburgh, PA

The average salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $77,960 a year ($37.48 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $72,190: half of the 260 people in this job in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($90,630).

$77,960average per year

$37.48 / hourMedian $72,190Take-home ≈ $61,281

  • $61K10th
  • $70K25th
  • $72KMedian
  • $90K75th
  • $91K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

260people in this job
-14%vs U.S. average
#2 of 2Pennsylvania metros
95cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay range in Pittsburgh

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $61,240 a year or less, while the top 10% make $91,000 or more. The middle half of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Pittsburgh earn between $69,570 and $90,080.

  • $61K10th
  • $70K25th
  • $72KMedian
  • $90K75th
  • $91K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$77,960$6,497$37.48
Median$72,190$6,016$34.71
Entry level (25th percentile)$69,570$5,798$33.45
Experienced (75th percentile)$90,080$7,507$43.31

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay in Pittsburgh vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Pittsburgh earn 8% less than the Pennsylvania average ($84,720) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($90,630). At the median the gap is -25% against the U.S. median of $96,710.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Pittsburgh$77,960$72,190$61,240$91,000260
Pennsylvania$84,720$83,870$61,670$105,580820
United States$90,630$96,710$57,110$115,88033,160

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary after taxes in Pittsburgh

On the average salary of $77,960, a single filer in Pittsburgh takes home about $61,281 a year, or $5,107 a month and $2,357 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Pennsylvania paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Pittsburgh a good place for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Pittsburgh area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 94.7), so the average $77,960 buys what about $82,348 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Pittsburgh ($49,650). A typical home costs $231,356, or 3.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $77,960 is worth in another city

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in other Pennsylvania cities

Pittsburgh ranks 2nd of 2 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($106,750).

All Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salaries in Pennsylvania

Highest-paying cities for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers

San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($114,810).

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary by city

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Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Pittsburgh: questions

How much do petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make an hour in Pittsburgh?

$37.48 an hour on average, and $34.71 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers salary in Pittsburgh?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $61,240 a year and the 25th percentile is $69,570, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers take-home pay in Pittsburgh?

About $61,281 a year ($5,107 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $77,960. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Do petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn more in Pittsburgh than elsewhere?

The average here is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($90,630).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-8093; area Pittsburgh, PA (38300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.08, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.