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Refinery Operator Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

CHS, Inc.

Refinery Operator/Maintenance

Mcpherson, KS · On-site

$40.49/hr

We are looking qualified and motivated individuals to support our Refinery Operations and Maintenance functions. Successful candidates will operate and maintain operating units in a safe and ...

CHS, Inc.

Refinery Operator/Maintenance

Mcpherson, KS · On-site

$40.49/hr

We are looking qualified and motivated individuals to support our Refinery Operations and Maintenance functions. Successful candidates will operate and maintain operating units in a safe and ...

Badger Daylighting

Hydrovac Operator

Wichita, KS · On-site

Join the Badger team as a Hydrovac Operator! In this role, you'll use high-pressure water and vacuum systems to dig precisely and efficiently, uncover utilities, and contribute to various ...

Badger Daylighting

Hydrovac Operator

Wichita, KS · On-site

Join the Badger team as a Hydrovac Operator! In this role, you'll use high-pressure water and vacuum systems to dig precisely and efficiently, uncover utilities, and contribute to various ...

Seaboard Corporation

Refinery Process Operator

Hugoton, KS · On-site

$17.25 - $21.75/hr

Refinery experience preferred * Ability to learn process operating parameters and control system operation to ensure safety and environmental protection standards are maintained while maximizing ...

CHS, Inc.

Refinery Zone Superintendent

Mcpherson, KS · On-site

We are looking for a Refinery Zone Superintendent to be responsible for process area (Zone ... Elements of the comprehensive operating plan include, but are not limited to: * * Be responsible ...

HF Sinclair

Refinery Planning Optimizer

El Dorado, KS · On-site

Manages the daily optimization activities to ensure the refinery is operating at plan feed rates and quality targets to maximize profit. * Interacts with the Crude Supply, Marketing, Heavy Oils ...

HF Sinclair

Refinery Planning Optimizer

El Dorado, KS · On-site

Manages the daily optimization activities to ensure the refinery is operating at plan feed rates and quality targets to maximize profit. * Interacts with the Crude Supply, Marketing, Heavy Oils ...

ssc

Operator - Material Handling

El Dorado, KS

$14.75 - $19.25/hr

Take an active role in our safety program including attendance to all safety meetings and ensuring safe behaviors of self and subordinates Requirements of a successful Operator: * 1 year of refinery ...

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All JobsRefinery Operator JobsRefinery Operator Jobs in Kansas

Refinery Operator information

See Kansas salary details

$10

$19

$30

How much do refinery operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for refinery operator in Kansas is $19.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Refinery Operator Do?

Refinery operators use specialized equipment and machines to transform raw materials into products, such as changing crude oil into gasoline. Most refinery operator jobs are in the oil industry, but other sectors, including the food industry and the metals industry, also utilize refinery operators. As a refinery operator, your primary responsibilities are operating equipment safely, monitoring meters and gauges, and meeting production goals for your area.

How hard is it to become a refinery operator?

Becoming a refinery operator typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, along with on-the-job training or technical schooling. Many positions also require relevant certifications, such as OSHA safety training, and experience working with industrial equipment, making it a role that demands technical skills and safety awareness.

What are refinery operators?

Refinery operators are skilled workers responsible for controlling and monitoring the equipment and processes used to convert raw materials, such as crude oil, into finished products like gasoline, diesel, and other petrochemicals. They ensure that operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently by adjusting controls, interpreting gauges and meters, and performing routine maintenance. Refinery operators also troubleshoot equipment problems and respond to emergencies to minimize downtime and hazards. Their work is critical to maintaining product quality and meeting production targets in refineries.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Refinery operators typically do not earn $2,000 a day; their salaries usually range from $70,000 to $120,000 annually. High-paying jobs that can reach or exceed $2,000 daily often include specialized roles such as senior executives, certain medical specialists, or highly experienced consultants, but these are not typical for refinery operators. Earning such high daily wages generally requires advanced skills, certifications, or significant experience in specialized fields.

What do you do as a refinery operator?

A refinery operator monitors and controls the equipment used to process crude oil into various petroleum products. They perform inspections, adjust machinery, and ensure safety protocols are followed to maintain efficient and safe operations in the refinery environment.

How much do oil refinery operators make?

Oil refinery operators in Texas typically earn an average annual salary of around $70,000 to $85,000, depending on experience, certifications, and the specific refinery. They often work in shifts and need knowledge of safety protocols and process control systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Refinery Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Refinery Operator, you need strong mechanical aptitude, process monitoring skills, and a high school diploma or technical certification in a related field. Familiarity with Distributed Control Systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and safety protocols is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are important soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operation of refining processes, minimizing downtime and hazards.

What is the difference between Refinery Operator vs Process Technician?

AspectRefinery OperatorProcess Technician
CertificationsTypically requires OSHA safety training, possibly a high school diploma or equivalentOften requires technical certifications or associate degree in process technology
Work EnvironmentWorks in refinery plants, operating machinery and monitoring equipmentWorks in processing units, troubleshooting, and maintaining equipment
Industry UsageCommonly employed in oil refineries and chemical plantsFound in refineries, chemical manufacturing, and processing facilities

Refinery Operators and Process Technicians both work in refinery environments, but Refinery Operators focus on operating and monitoring equipment, while Process Technicians handle troubleshooting and maintenance tasks. Both roles require safety training and are essential for efficient plant operations.

What are some common challenges faced by refinery operators during shift work, and how can they be managed?

Refinery operators often work in rotating shifts, which can present challenges such as fatigue, maintaining focus during night shifts, and adapting to changing sleep schedules. To manage these challenges, operators are encouraged to follow consistent sleep routines, stay hydrated, and communicate closely with team members to ensure safety and efficiency. Many refineries also provide training on fatigue management and support systems to help operators maintain high performance and safety standards during all shifts.
More about Refinery Operator jobs
What job categories do people searching Refinery Operator jobs in Kansas look for? The top searched job categories for Refinery Operator jobs in Kansas are:
What are popular job titles related to Refinery Operator jobs in KS? For Refinery Operator jobs in KS, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Refinery Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Refinery Operator job openings in Kansas as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,217 per year, or $19.8 per hour.
Refinery Operator/Maintenance

Refinery Operator/Maintenance

CHS, Inc.

Mcpherson, KS • On-site

$40.49/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

CHS Inc. rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th of 340 rated logistics

Job description

CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States that provides grain, food and energy resources to businesses and consumers around the world. We serve agriculture customers and consumers across the United States and around the world. Most of our employees are in the United States, but today we have employees in 19 countries. At CHS, we are creating connections to empower agriculture.
Summary
CHS has an exciting opportunity at our oil refinery facility in McPherson, Kansas. We are looking qualified and motivated individuals to support our Refinery Operations and Maintenance functions. Successful candidates will operate and maintain operating units in a safe and efficient manner and report any variation to the norms established for safe operating procedure. You must be a detail-oriented, results-driven individual with strong mechanical aptitude and a commitment to safety, quality, and precision. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, a strong commitment to operational excellence, and the ability to work in both a team environment and on self-directed tasks are required.
This position will require:
  • Minimum skill level of Silver on the Kansas WORKReady! Certificate or ACT National Career Readiness Certificate.
  • PLEASE NOTE - Certificate must be attached to your application in order for candidate to be considered.

Compensation Data
  • Salary $40.49
  • This is a Union role wages are based on a collective bargaining agreement

Responsibilities
  • Read meters and gauges or automatic recording devices at specified intervals to verify operating conditions.
  • Record data such as temperature of equipment, hours of operation, fuel consumed, temperature or pressure, water levels, analysis of flue gases, voltage load and generator balance.
  • Adjust manual controls or override automatic controls to bring equipment into recommended or prescribed operating ranges, switch to backup equipment or systems, or to shut down equipment as needed.
  • Visually inspect equipment at periodic intervals to detect malfunctions or need for repair, adjustment or lubrication.
  • Oil and lubricate equipment.
  • Record operation and maintenance actions taken during shift in operator's logbook.
  • Maintain communication by radio with other operators, maintenance and engineering personnel as needed to troubleshoot abnormal unit processes.
  • Perform general Labor to support specialized craft work.
  • Perform other duties as required.
  • Maintain and promote a strong safety culture and follow all safety policies, procedures, and regulations. Identify and communicate workplace hazards and correct or seek assistance in correcting unsafe actions or conditions

Minimum Qualifications (required)
  • Minimum skill level of Silver on the Kansas WORKReady! Certificate or ACT National Career Readiness Certificate. PLEASE NOTE - Certificate must be attached to application in order for candidate to be considered.
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Ability to work 12-hour rotating shifts (nights and days), including weekends and holidays. (Refinery operations run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.)
  • Ability to follow written procedures and verbal instructions
  • Proficient understanding and application of mechanical principles
  • Understanding of and/or ability to learn physical and chemical scientific principles
  • Ability to read and interpret gauges to provide detailed written and verbal documentation. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
  • Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
  • Acceptable results on all pre-employment testing and pre-employment background screening

Additional Qualifications
  • Additional education, experience, and/or training in refinery process technology and/or refining process systems
  • Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to wear PPE, including respirator
  • Ability to perform physical work in all weather conditions
  • Ability to climb ladders and work to heights of 200 feet
  • Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
  • Ability to talk and hear
  • Ability to stand, sit, walk, climb, and balance

CHS offers a competitive total rewards package. Compensation and benefits are subject to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, wellness programs, life insurance, health and dependent care spending accounts, paid time off, 401(k), pension, and disability, subject to any relevant provisions in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and subject to the eligibility requirements for each benefit plan.
CHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability.
Please note that any communication from a CHS recruiter would be sent using a chsinc.com email address. In addition, a CHS recruiter will not ask for confidential information over the phone or in an email, or request money from a candidate involved in an offer process. If you have questions regarding an employment opportunity, please reach out to chscareers@chsinc.com; to verify that the communication is from CHS.

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