How much does a pump operator make?
The median pump operator in the United States earns $60,020 per year, about $28.86 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all pump operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-7072.
Pump operator salary range
Pay for pump operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,850 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $89,660. The average (mean) wage of $61,950 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,850 | $18.20 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,270 | $22.73 | |
| Median (50th) | $60,020 | $28.86 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $75,160 | $36.13 | |
| 90th percentile | $89,660 | $43.11 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (SOC 53-7072), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Pump operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Pump operators earn the most in Illinois at $84,590 a year, and the least in Georgia at $36,520. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $84,590 | 110 |
| Washington | $84,010 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $81,900 | 290 |
| Arizona | $81,430 | N/A |
| Ohio | $81,110 | 90 |
| Colorado | $79,140 | 80 |
| Wyoming | $78,810 | 240 |
| North Dakota | $75,960 | 230 |
| Utah | $73,840 | 200 |
| Alaska | $72,990 | 140 |
| Montana | $71,550 | 70 |
| Virginia | $65,720 | 210 |
| Minnesota | $61,630 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $61,250 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $61,040 | 80 |
| Louisiana | $60,840 | 1,510 |
| Indiana | $60,680 | N/A |
| Florida | $60,370 | 760 |
| Idaho | $60,130 | N/A |
| Texas | $58,670 | 4,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,800 | 330 |
| Oregon | $55,760 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $55,380 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $54,500 | 100 |
| New York | $54,280 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $52,150 | N/A |
| Alabama | $51,560 | 170 |
| New Mexico | $51,380 | 110 |
| California | $51,350 | 1,270 |
| Nevada | $45,710 | 50 |
| Kansas | $44,130 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $43,390 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $43,130 | 70 |
| Missouri | $41,780 | N/A |
| Georgia | $36,520 | N/A |
State median wages for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (SOC 53-7072), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for pump operators
The BLS projects employment of pump operators to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 9,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 10,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for pump operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a pump operator
The typical entry-level education for pump operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a pump operator earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Illinois, $84,590) and the lowest (Georgia, $36,520) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,600 people work as pump operators in the United States. At $60,020 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Pump operator salary FAQ
How much does a pump operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a pump operator is $28.86. The middle half of pump operators earn between $22.73 and $36.13 per hour.
What is the highest pump operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of pump operators earn more than $89,660 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a pump operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a pump operator is $60,020. The average (mean) wage of $61,950 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a pump operator a well paid job?
At $60,020 a year, a pump operator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,600 people work as pump operators in the United States.
Which state pays pump operators the most?
Illinois has the highest median salary for pump operators at $84,590 a year. Washington ($84,010) and New Jersey ($81,900) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a pump operator a good career?
Employment of pump operators is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a pump operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for pump operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Transportation salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.