SOC 51-8093 · Billings, MT metro

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary in Billings, MT

The average salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Billings, Montana is $98,040 a year ($47.14 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $103,110: half of the 380 people in this job in the Billings, MT metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 8% more than the U.S. average for this job ($90,630).

$98,040average per year

$47.14 / hourMedian $103,110Take-home ≈ $73,623

  • $79K10th
  • $90K25th
  • $103KMedian
  • $108K75th
  • $108K90th

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

380people in this job
+8%vs U.S. average
94cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay range in Billings

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,890 a year or less, while the top 10% make $108,160 or more. The middle half of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Billings earn between $90,340 and $108,160.

  • $79K10th
  • $90K25th
  • $103KMedian
  • $108K75th
  • $108K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$98,040$8,170$47.13
Median$103,110$8,592$49.57
Entry level (25th percentile)$90,340$7,528$43.43
Experienced (75th percentile)$108,160$9,013$52.00

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

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay in Billings vs. Montana and the U.S.

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Billings earn 4% more than the Montana average ($94,310) and 8% more than the U.S. average ($90,630). At the median the gap is +7% against the U.S. median of $96,710.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Billings$98,040$103,110$78,890$108,160380
Montana$94,310$98,310$75,760$108,160550
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 Billings

On the average salary of $98,040, a single filer in Billings takes home about $73,623 a year, or $6,135 a month and $2,832 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

Montana paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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

Prices in the Billings area are 6% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.5), so the average $98,040 buys what about $104,826 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Billings ($49,060). A typical home costs $410,666, or 4.2 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $98,040 is worth in another city

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in nearby metro areas

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 Billings: questions

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

$47.14 an hour on average, and $49.57 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,890 a year and the 25th percentile is $90,340, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $73,623 a year ($6,135 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $98,040.

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

The average here is 8% more 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 Billings, MT (13740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.0%.
  • 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 (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 19.15, this job is 19.1 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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