How much does a pump operator make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $29.70 an hour or $5,148 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.70
- Average (mean)
- $63,960
- Jobs
- 9,780
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,420 | $18.95 | |
| 25th | $47,560 | $22.87 | |
| Median | $61,770 | $29.70 | |
| 75th | $77,210 | $37.12 | |
| 90th | $91,820 | $44.14 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Illinois | $92,310 |
| North Dakota | $81,400 |
| Alaska | $80,210 |
| Wyoming | $77,820 |
| Connecticut | $71,890 |
| Montana | $71,770 |
| Michigan | $69,540 |
| Alabama | $66,890 |
| Virginia | $66,500 |
| New Jersey | $64,990 |
| Ohio | $64,700 |
| Louisiana | $64,110 |
| Georgia | $64,050 |
| Texas | $61,770 |
| Mississippi | $61,670 |
| Utah | $61,590 |
| West Virginia | $61,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,660 |
| Indiana | $60,620 |
| Wisconsin | $60,320 |
| Idaho | $60,200 |
| Minnesota | $59,700 |
| Florida | $59,120 |
| New Mexico | $58,920 |
| Nevada | $57,980 |
| California | $57,660 |
| Washington | $57,030 |
| Oregon | $54,540 |
| Tennessee | $52,120 |
| Maine | $51,370 |
| New York | $48,010 |
| Oklahoma | $46,900 |
| Colorado | $46,680 |
| Kentucky | $46,600 |
| Nebraska | $46,170 |
| North Carolina | $45,890 |
| Missouri | $44,650 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Beaumont, TX | $82,090 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $79,840 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $79,010 |
| Houston, TX | $76,670 |
| Anchorage, AK | $75,810 |
| San Francisco, CA | $71,780 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $67,550 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $66,920 |
| Shreveport, LA | $64,220 |
| Atlanta, GA | $64,050 |
| New York, NY | $63,540 |
| Portland, OR | $63,480 |
| Dallas, TX | $63,110 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $63,060 |
| Houma, LA | $62,820 |
In other countries
Pump Operator belongs to the international group "Incinerator and water treatment plant operators".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Conveyor Operator and Tender$42,420
- Crane and Tower Operator$68,080
- Dredge Operator$49,640
- Hoist and Winch Operator$56,450
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$46,420
- Cleaners of Vehicle and Equipment$35,830
- Laborer and Freight$40,240
- Machine Feeder and Offbearer$41,220
- Packer and Packager$36,280
- Stocker and Order Filler$37,330
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pump operator make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $29.70 ($61,770 a year).
How much does a pump operator make a month?
About $5,148 a month before tax, based on a median of $61,770 a year.
How much does a pump operator make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,420 or less a year ($18.95 an hour); the top 10% make $91,820 or more.
Which state pays pump operators the most?
Illinois, with a median of $92,310 a year, followed by North Dakota ($81,400) and Alaska ($80,210).
Which city pays pump operators the most?
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX, with a median of $82,090 a year.
How many pump operators are there in the United States?
About 9,780 people work as pump operators.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.