What are the main factors that influence a Refinery Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Refinery Operator's salary?

A Refinery Operator's salary grows with experience: a Junior Refinery Operator (0-1 years)earns $66,576, a Refinery Operator (1-3 years)earns $78,447, an Oil Refinery Operator III (3-5 years)earns $94,227, an Oil Refinery Operations Supervisor (5+ years)earns $126,923, an Oil Refinery Operations Manager (5+ years)earns $166,334,

What are the highest paying states for a Refinery Operator?

Refinery Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Refinery Operator roles are District of Columbia $78,500, California $78,200, Massachusetts $77,200. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Refinery Operator roles make?

Salaries for Refinery Operator level roles vary by specialization: Senior Refinery Operator: $85,180; Refinery Process Operator: $84,468; Petroleum Refinery Operator II: $70,890; Refinery Production Operator II: $70,880; Refinery Plant Operator II: $70,873.

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Refinery Operator Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Refinery Operator make in District of Columbia?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refinery Operator in District of Columbia is $78,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,109
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,800 to $85,100
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,790

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Refinery Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$85,100	$7,092	$1,637	$41
Average	$78,500	$6,542	$1,510	$38
25th Percentile	$70,800	$5,900	$1,362	$34

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Key Factors That Influence Refinery Operator Salaries

A 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Refinery Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $66,576
Refinery Operator (1-3 years): $78,447
Oil Refinery Operator III (3-5 years): $94,227
Oil Refinery Operations Supervisor (5+ years): $126,923
Oil Refinery Operations Manager (5+ years): $166,334

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Junior Refinery Operator	0-1 years	$66,576
Refinery Operator	1-3 years	$78,447
Oil Refinery Operator III	3-5 years	$94,227
Oil Refinery Operations Supervisor	5+ years	$126,923
Oil Refinery Operations Manager	5+ years	$166,334

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Refinery Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Refinery Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $78,500.
California: $78,200.
Massachusetts: $77,200.

District of Columbia $78,500 California $78,200 Massachusetts $77,200 Washington $76,900 New Jersey $76,800 Alaska $76,700 Connecticut $75,800 New York $75,400

Hawaii $74,100 Rhode Island $73,500 Maryland $73,100 Minnesota $72,600 Illinois $72,300 Colorado $72,300 Oregon $72,000 Delaware $71,800

New Hampshire $71,700 Virginia $71,400 Pennsylvania $70,600 Nevada $70,200 North Dakota $70,000 Michigan $69,800 Wisconsin $69,700 Vermont $69,600

Texas $69,200 Arizona $69,100 Maine $69,100 Ohio $69,000 Georgia $68,400 Indiana $68,100 Wyoming $68,000 Utah $67,900

Iowa $67,900 Kansas $67,500 Louisiana $67,400 North Carolina $67,400 Missouri $67,400 Florida $67,100 Montana $66,900 Nebraska $66,800

Kentucky $66,700 South Carolina $66,400 Tennessee $66,300 Idaho $66,200 New Mexico $65,700 Oklahoma $65,600 Alabama $65,100 South Dakota $64,400

Arkansas $64,100 West Virginia $63,900 Mississippi $63,200

Top Paying Cities for 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:

Parcel Return Service: $78,500
Washington: $78,500
Naval Anacost Annex: $78,500

Parcel Return Service, DC $78,500 Washington, DC $78,500 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $78,500 Washington Navy Yard, DC $78,500

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

Understanding how a 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 April 01, 2026

$70,800

Average $78,500/year

$85,100

$5,900

Average $6,542/month

$7,092

$1,362

Average $1,510/week

$1,637

$34

Average $38/hour

$41

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$85,100	$7,092	$1,637	$41
Average	$78,500	$6,542	$1,510	$38
25th Percentile	$70,800	$5,900	$1,362	$34

Refinery Operator Salary Growth & Career Path

Refinery Operator

Oil Refinery Operator III

Oil Refinery Operations Supervisor

For a Refinery Operator, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Oil Refinery Operator III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $94,300 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

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