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

A Refinery Process Operator's salary grows with experience: starting around $84,767 for beginners, reaching about $86,361 at mid-level, and approach $91,886 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Refinery Process Operator?

Refinery Process Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Refinery Process Operator roles are District of Columbia $93,491, California $93,136, Massachusetts $91,895. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Refinery Process Operator roles make?

Salaries for Refinery Process Operator level roles vary by specialization: Senior Refinery Operator: $85,080; Refinery Process Operator III: $85,073; Refinery Operator III: $85,058; Refinery Operator: $70,900; Petroleum Refinery Operator II: $70,890.

Refinery Process Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does a Refinery Process Operator make in Delaware?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refinery Process Operator in Delaware is $85,511 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $101,345
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,859 to $93,799
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,893

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Refinery Process Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$93,799	$7,817	$1,804	$45
Average	$85,511	$7,126	$1,644	$41
25th Percentile	$77,859	$6,488	$1,497	$37

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Refinery Process Operator Salaries

A Refinery Process 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 Process Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Refinery Process 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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $84,767
Early Career (1-2 years): $84,980
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $86,361
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $90,520
Expert (over 8 years): $91,886

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Refinery Process Operator	$84,767
Intermediate Level Refinery Process Operator	$84,980
Senior Level Refinery Process Operator	$86,361
Specialist Level Refinery Process Operator	$90,520
Expert Level Refinery Process Operator	$91,886

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Refinery Process 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 Process Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $93,491.
California: $93,136.
Massachusetts: $91,895.

District of Columbia $93,491 California $93,136 Massachusetts $91,895 Washington $91,557 New Jersey $91,523 Alaska $91,405 Connecticut $90,240 New York $89,767

Hawaii $88,255 Rhode Island $87,546 Maryland $87,065 Minnesota $86,406 Colorado $86,153 Illinois $86,068 Oregon $85,747 Delaware $85,511

New Hampshire $85,362 Virginia $85,030 Pennsylvania $84,059 Nevada $83,569 North Dakota $83,409 Michigan $83,155 Wisconsin $83,062 Vermont $82,877

Texas $82,362 Maine $82,328 Arizona $82,277 Ohio $82,218 Georgia $81,441 Indiana $81,053 Wyoming $80,977 Utah $80,858

Iowa $80,808 Kansas $80,403 Louisiana $80,284 North Carolina $80,242 Missouri $80,225 Florida $79,896 Montana $79,719 Nebraska $79,550

Kentucky $79,457 South Carolina $79,119 Tennessee $78,908 Idaho $78,824 New Mexico $78,207 Oklahoma $78,072 Alabama $77,574 South Dakota $76,738

Arkansas $76,282 West Virginia $76,037 Mississippi $75,302

Top Paying Cities for Refinery Process 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:

Lincoln: $88,500
Little Creek: $87,681
Magnolia: $88,044

Lincoln, DE $88,500 Little Creek, DE $87,681 Magnolia, DE $88,044 Milford, DE $88,500 Marydel, DE $87,352 Millsboro, DE $88,500 Millville, DE $89,091 Milton, DE $88,500

Nassau, DE $88,500 Ocean View, DE $89,091 Rehoboth Beach, DE $89,091 Seaford, DE $87,571 Selbyville, DE $89,091 Smyrna, DE $87,251 Viola, DE $88,044 Woodside, DE $87,791

Bear, DE $86,609 Newark, DE $86,643 Claymont, DE $86,710 Delaware City, DE $86,643 Hockessin, DE $86,710 Kirkwood, DE $86,643 Middletown, DE $87,073 Montchanin, DE $86,710

New Castle, DE $86,710 Odessa, DE $87,191 Port Penn, DE $86,406 Rockland, DE $86,710 Saint Georges, DE $86,643 Townsend, DE $87,065 Winterthur, DE $86,710 Lewes, DE $88,500

Wilmington, DE $86,710 Dover, DE $87,639 Dover Afb, DE $87,842 Bethany Beach, DE $89,091 Bethel, DE $87,571 Bridgeville, DE $88,500 Camden Wyoming, DE $87,732 Cheswold, DE $87,436

Clayton, DE $87,217 Dagsboro, DE $89,091 Delmar, DE $87,571 Ellendale, DE $88,500 Felton, DE $88,500 Fenwick Island, DE $89,091 Frankford, DE $89,091 Frederica, DE $88,500

Georgetown, DE $88,500 Greenwood, DE $88,500 Harbeson, DE $88,500 Harrington, DE $88,500 Hartly, DE $87,175 Houston, DE $88,500 Kenton, DE $87,217 Laurel, DE $87,571

Yorklyn, DE $86,710

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

Understanding how a Refinery Process 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 January 01, 2026

$77,859

Average $85,511/year

$93,799

$6,488

Average $7,126/month

$7,817

$1,497

Average $1,644/week

$1,804

$37

Average $41/hour

$45

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$93,799	$7,817	$1,804	$45
Average	$85,511	$7,126	$1,644	$41
25th Percentile	$77,859	$6,488	$1,497	$37

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