Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay range in Houston
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,480 a year or less, while the top 10% make $106,480 or more. The middle half of pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) in Houston earn between $44,930 and $96,900.
- $38K10th
- $45K25th
- $77KMedian
- $97K75th
- $106K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $71,560 | $5,963 | $34.40 |
| Median | $76,670 | $6,389 | $36.86 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $44,930 | $3,744 | $21.60 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $96,900 | $8,075 | $46.59 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay in Houston vs. Texas and the U.S.
Pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) in Houston earn 6% more than the Texas average ($67,330) and 12% more than the U.S. average ($63,960). At the median the gap is +24% against the U.S. median of $61,770.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $71,560 | $76,670 | $38,480 | $106,480 | 770 |
| Texas | $67,330 | $61,770 | $40,660 | $105,620 | 2,110 |
| 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 Houston
On the average salary of $71,560, a single filer in Houston takes home about $59,172 a year, or $4,931 a month and $2,276 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Houston a good place for pump operators (except wellhead pumpers)? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Houston area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.6), so the average $71,560 buys what about $72,555 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Houston ($49,410). A typical home costs $308,306, or 4.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in other Texas cities
Houston ranks 2nd of 7 Texas metro areas for this job; Beaumont pays the most ($82,830).
- Beaumont$82,830
- Houston$71,560
- Dallas$71,320
- Corpus Christi$64,180
- San Antonio$64,070
- Longview$61,370
- Midland$61,370
All Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salaries in Texas
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in Houston: questions
How much do pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) make an hour in Houston?
$34.40 an hour on average, and $36.86 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) salary in Houston?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,480 a year and the 25th percentile is $44,930, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) take-home pay in Houston?
About $59,172 a year ($4,931 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $71,560. Texas has no state income tax.
Do pump operators (except wellhead pumpers) earn more in Houston than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% more 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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX (26420). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 9.5%.
- 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 no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 3.70, this job is 3.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.