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Junior Refinery Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Junior Refinery Operator make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior Refinery Operator in the United States is $60,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Junior Refinery Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,675
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,600 to $68,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,501

Key Factors That Influence Junior Refinery Operator Salaries

A Junior Refinery Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Junior Refinery Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Junior Refinery Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Junior Refinery Operator (0-1 years): $60,155
  • Refinery Operator (1-3 years): $70,884
  • Oil Refinery Operator III (3-5 years): $85,183
  • Oil Refinery Operations Supervisor (5+ years): $114,650
  • Oil Refinery Operations Manager (5+ years): $150,345
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Junior Refinery Operator0-1 years$60,155
Refinery Operator1-3 years$70,884
Oil Refinery Operator III3-5 years$85,183
Oil Refinery Operations Supervisor5+ years$114,650
Oil Refinery Operations Manager5+ years$150,345

Top Paying Cities for Junior Refinery Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $75,900
  • San Francisco: $75,100
  • Oakland: $73,500

What Skills Can Increase a Junior Refinery Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 10.47% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 1.74% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
  • Sustainability (Mentioned in 0.87% Job Postings): Sustainability is a societal goal that broadly aims for humans to safely co-exist on planet Earth over a long time. Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and therefore vary in the literature and over time.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 10.47%
Work Ethic 1.74%
Sustainability 0.87%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Junior Refinery Operator's salary.

  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Marketing Systems: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Microsoft Office: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scheduling $64,414
7%
Marketing Systems $64,414
7%
Microsoft Office $64,414
7%

Junior Refinery Operator Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Junior Refinery Operator salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,944. While startup companies pay approximate $59,242.

Junior Refinery Operator Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $59,242
Growth Stage 51~500 $62,630
Established 501~5000 $67,570
Enterprise 5000+ $69,944

How Education impacts a Junior Refinery Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Junior Refinery Operators enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Junior Refinery Operator with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $59,151 and $62,294).

Junior Refinery Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Junior Refinery Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 42.9%
High School 42.9%
Associates 21.4%
Bachelors 35.7%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Junior Refinery Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Junior Refinery Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$54,600
Average $60,200/year
$68,300
$4,550
Average $5,017/month
$5,692
$1,050
Average $1,158/week
$1,313
$26
Average $29/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,300 $5,692 $1,313 $33
Average $60,200 $5,017 $1,158 $29
25th Percentile $54,600 $4,550 $1,050 $26

Junior Refinery Operator Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Junior Refinery Operator, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Refinery Operator role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $70,900 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Junior Refinery Operator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Junior Refinery Operator

Here are companies hiring for Junior Refinery Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Junior Refinery Operator

1. What is the highest salary in refinery?

The highest salary for a Refinery Operator is ₹68,600 per year, with a minimum salary of ₹58,200 and a mid-range salary of ₹63,700. This reflects the typical earnings in the industry, showcasing a structured pay scale for professionals in this field.

2. What refinery pays the most?

The salary range for a Refinery Operator is between $58,200 and $68,600, with a median salary of $63,700. While the highest-paying industries are Energy, Mining & Utilities, and Manufacturing, specific companies like Marathon Petroleum, Chevron, and Phillips 66 are known for offering competitive salaries within this range.

3. How long does it take to become a refinery operator?

Becoming a refinery operator typically requires three to five years of on-site training, depending on your educational background. As you gain experience, there are opportunities for advancement to roles such as shift supervisor or facilities maintenance manager. Salaries for refinery operators range from $58,200 to $68,600, with a median salary of $63,700.

4. How long does it take to become a refinery operator?

Becoming a refinery operator typically requires three to five years of on-site training, depending on your educational background. As you gain experience, there are opportunities for advancement to roles such as shift supervisor or facilities maintenance manager. Salaries for refinery operators range from $58,200 to $68,600, with a median salary of $63,700.

5. How much do Exxon plant operators make?

Exxon plant operators earn between $58,200 and $68,600 annually, with a median salary of $63,700. This reflects competitive compensation in the industry, aligning with the average hourly pay of approximately $43.28, which is significantly above the national average.

6. Does ExxonMobil pay well?

ExxonMobil offers competitive salaries for various positions. For a Refinery Operator, the salary ranges from a minimum of $58,200 to a maximum of $68,600, with a mid-range salary of $63,700. This reflects the company's commitment to providing attractive compensation in the industry.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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