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Refinery Operator II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refinery Operator II in the United States is $70,884 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,396
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,977 to $76,910
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,689
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Refinery Operator II Salaries

A Refinery 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Refinery Operator II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Refinery 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:

  • 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
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How Do Refinery Operator II 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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $78,483.
  • California: $78,185.
  • Massachusetts: $77,143.

Top Paying Cities for Refinery Operator IIs

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: $89,406
  • San Francisco: $88,427
  • Oakland: $86,564

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 9.52% 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 2.38% 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.
  • Mechanical Aptitude (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): Mechanical aptitude is a measure of a technical or engineering candidate's mechanical reasoning and mechanical comprehension to succeed in their domain.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 9.52%
Work Ethic 2.38%
Mechanical Aptitude 1.19%
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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 II's salary.

  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 43%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scheduling $101,364
43%
Commitment $84,352
19%
Communicates Effectively $82,225
16%
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Refinery Operator II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Refinery Operator II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,357. While startup companies pay approximate $69,756.

Refinery Operator II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,756
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,745
Established 501~5000 $79,562
Enterprise 5000+ $82,357

How Education impacts a Refinery Operator II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Refinery Operator II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $69,337 and $73,007.

Refinery Operator II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Refinery Operator II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 36.4%
High School 36.4%
Associates 27.3%
Bachelors 27.3%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 9.1%
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Refinery Operator II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Refinery 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$63,977
Average $70,884/year
$76,910
$5,331
Average $5,907/month
$6,409
$1,230
Average $1,363/week
$1,479
$31
Average $34/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,910 $6,409 $1,479 $37
Average $70,884 $5,907 $1,363 $34
25th Percentile $63,977 $5,331 $1,230 $31

Refinery Operator II Salary Growth & Career Path

Refinery Operator II

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Advancement

For a Refinery Operator II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Refinery Operator III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $85,183 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Refinery Operator II

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

Common company salaries for Refinery Operator II

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

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FAQ about Refinery Operator II

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

A Refinery Operator II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Refinery Operator II is $89,406.

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

The highest pay for Refinery Operator II is $82,396.

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

The lowest pay for Refinery Operator II is $57,689.

4. What are the responsibilities of Refinery Operator II?

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 moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related 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.

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