As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refinery Plant Operator III in the United States is $85,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, a Refinery Plant Operator III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Refinery Plant Operator III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $94,590 | $7,883 | $1,819 | $45 |
| Average | $85,190 | $7,099 | $1,638 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,790 | $6,399 | $1,477 | $37 |
A Refinery Plant Operator III'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Refinery Plant Operator III'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Refinery Operator | 0-1 years | $60,145 |
| Refinery Operator | 1-3 years | $70,871 |
| Refinery Plant Operator III | 3-5 years | $85,151 |
| Oil Refinery Operations Supervisor | 5+ years | $114,643 |
| Oil Refinery Operations Manager | 5+ years | $150,294 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Plant Operator IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Refinery Plant Operator III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $99,138. While startup companies pay approximate $83,916.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $83,916 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $88,726 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $95,766 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $99,138 |
Understanding how a Refinery Plant Operator III'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $94,590 | $7,883 | $1,819 | $45 |
| Average | $85,190 | $7,099 | $1,638 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,790 | $6,399 | $1,477 | $37 |
For a Refinery Plant Operator III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Oil Refinery Operations Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $114,700 - a projected growth of 35% over your current level.
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Refinery Plant Operator III and their salaries, click below for more details.
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