SOC 51-8093 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers — Northern West Virginia
Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northern West Virginia, WV is $86,890 a year, trailing the national median of $96,710 by 10.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northern West Virginia, WV is $86,890 a year, trailing the national median of $96,710 by 10.2%. Half of workers earn between $81,810 and $97,400. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $80,930 and the ninetieth at $97,400.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.91 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Wheeling leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $81,090. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 51st of 392 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $80,930 | −16.3% |
| 25th | $81,810 | −15.4% |
| Median (50th) | $86,890 | −10.2% |
| 75th | $97,400 | +0.7% |
| 90th | $97,400 | +0.7% |
| Mean | $87,950 | −9.1% |
Other metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheeling | $81,090 | 50 | |
| 2 | Huntington | $78,670 | 420 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northern West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $86,890 goes as far as $97,084 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$86,890as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$97,084US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $86,890 a year, 10.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $80,930 to $97,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wheeling, at $81,090.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Northern West Virginia, WV?
The median annual wage is $86,890, or $41.77 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $96,710, so pay in Northern West Virginia, WV is 10.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northern West Virginia, WV earns more than $97,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $80,930 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Wheeling, at $81,090 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Northern West Virginia, WV. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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