Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Refinery Operator I Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refinery Operator I in the United States is $60,155 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,597
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,517 to $68,238
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,384
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Refinery Operator I Salaries

A Refinery Operator I'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 Refinery Operator I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Refinery Operator I'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:

  • Refinery Operator I (0-1 years): $60,155
  • Refinery Operator II (1-3 years): $70,884
  • Refinery Operator III (3-5 years): $85,183
  • Refinery Operations Supervisor (5+ years): $114,650
  • Refinery Operations Manager (5+ years): $150,345
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Refinery Operator I0-1 years$60,155
Refinery Operator II1-3 years$70,884
Refinery Operator III3-5 years$85,183
Refinery Operations Supervisor5+ years$114,650
Refinery Operations Manager5+ years$150,345
View as Graph

How Do Refinery Operator I 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 Operator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $66,604.
  • California: $66,351.
  • Massachusetts: $65,467.

Top Paying Cities for Refinery Operator Is

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: $75,874
  • San Francisco: $75,043
  • Oakland: $73,461

What Skills Can Increase a Refinery Operator I'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%
See More Skills

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 Refinery Operator I'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 $64,366
7%
Marketing Systems $64,366
7%
Microsoft Office $64,366
7%
Get Latest Data

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

Refinery Operator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,892. While startup companies pay approximate $59,198.

Refinery Operator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $59,198
Growth Stage 51~500 $62,583
Established 501~5000 $67,519
Enterprise 5000+ $69,892

How Education impacts a Refinery Operator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Refinery Operator I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Refinery Operator I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $60,839 and $63,774.

Refinery Operator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Refinery Operator I
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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Refinery Operator I'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
$54,517
Average $60,155/year
$68,238
$4,543
Average $5,013/month
$5,687
$1,048
Average $1,157/week
$1,312
$26
Average $29/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,238 $5,687 $1,312 $33
Average $60,155 $5,013 $1,157 $29
25th Percentile $54,517 $4,543 $1,048 $26

Refinery Operator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Refinery Operator I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Refinery Operator I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Refinery Operator II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $70,884 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Refinery Operator I

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

Common company salaries for Refinery Operator I

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

Find Your Next Refinery Operator I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Refinery Operator I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Refinery Operator I

1. Where can a Refinery Operator I earn the most?

A Refinery Operator I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Refinery Operator I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Refinery Operator I is $75,874.

2. What is the highest pay for Refinery Operator I?

The highest pay for Refinery Operator I is $75,597.

3. What is the lowest pay for Refinery Operator I?

The lowest pay for Refinery Operator I is $49,384.

4. What are the responsibilities of Refinery Operator I?

Controls equipment systems that process natural gas or petroleum into specified products. Monitors gauges, meters, and control panels to ensure safe and efficient operations. Adjusts temperature, pressure, and flow as needed to maintain optimal process conditions. Performs routine inspections and basic troubleshooting of equipment. Maintains logs and complies with safety and environmental regulations. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst