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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refinery Process Operator II in California is $78,168 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Refinery Process Operator II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Refinery Process Operator II Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $84,806 | $7,067 | $1,631 | $41 |
| Average | $78,168 | $6,514 | $1,503 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,562 | $5,880 | $1,357 | $34 |
Mesa Labs - San Diego, CA
Process Service Specialists - HUBBARD, TX
Kennametal - LA VERGNE, TN
Airbus Aerosystems Kinston, Inc - KINSTON, NC
A Refinery Process Operator II'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 Process Operator II'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 | $66,345 |
| Refinery Process Operator II | 1-3 years | $78,177 |
| Oil Refinery Operator III | 3-5 years | $93,939 |
| Oil Refinery Operations Supervisor | 5+ years | $126,455 |
| Oil Refinery Operations Manager | 5+ years | $165,805 |
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 Process Operator IIs. 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 Process Operator II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $91,080. While startup companies pay approximate $77,133.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $77,133 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $81,553 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $87,986 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $91,080 |
Understanding how a Refinery Process Operator II'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 | $84,806 | $7,067 | $1,631 | $41 |
| Average | $78,168 | $6,514 | $1,503 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,562 | $5,880 | $1,357 | $34 |
For a Refinery Process Operator II, 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 $94,000 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Refinery Process Operator II job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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