Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,550 a year or less, while the top 10% make $81,490 or more. The middle half of pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) in San Diego earn between $40,730 and $64,210.
- $39K10th
- $41K25th
- $54KMedian
- $64K75th
- $81K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $57,080 | $4,757 | $27.44 |
| Median | $53,980 | $4,498 | $25.95 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $40,730 | $3,394 | $19.58 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $64,210 | $5,351 | $30.87 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) in San Diego earn 6% less than the California average ($60,560) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($63,960). At the median the gap is -13% against the U.S. median of $61,770.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $57,080 | $53,980 | $38,550 | $81,490 | 90 |
| California | $60,560 | $57,660 | $36,470 | $86,390 | 1,220 |
| United States | $63,960 | $61,770 | $39,420 | $91,820 | 9,780 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $57,080, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $46,426 a year, or $3,869 a month and $1,786 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for pump operators (except wellhead pumpers)? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $57,080 buys what about $51,016 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 16.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 5th of 6 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($74,050).
- San Francisco$74,050
- Los Angeles$67,100
- Bakersfield$65,020
- Fresno$60,530
- San Diego$57,080
- Visalia$47,210
All Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for pump operators (except wellhead pumpers)
Beaumont, TX pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($82,830).
- Beaumont, TX$82,830
- Anchorage, AK$76,690
- Cincinnati, OH$75,980
- San Francisco, CA$74,050
- Houston, TX$71,560
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Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in San Diego: questions
How much do pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) make an hour in San Diego?
$27.44 an hour on average, and $25.95 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,550 a year and the 25th percentile is $40,730, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) take-home pay in San Diego?
About $46,426 a year ($3,869 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $57,080. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($63,960).
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 53-7072; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.6%.
- 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). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.89, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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