Qualifications for refinery operators vary among employers. To pursue jobs as a refinery operator, decide which industry you are interested in. Earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in a program that will train you on the production processes within your area of interest. Instead of a degree, you may choose to acquire an internship and learn skills on the job, under the supervision of an experienced refinery operator. Your apprenticeship may last from one to five years. Once you have your degree or your apprenticeship ends, pursue entry-level refinery operator positions at manufacturing companies in your area.

If you are interested in a job related to Refinery Operator, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Refinery Operator Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Refinery Operator positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Oil Refinery Operator
Salary range: $37,000 - $51,000
Oil Refinery Operator is a common job search query. Most salaries for Oil Refinery Operator jobs pay between $37,000 (25th percentile) and $51,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Oil Refinery Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Refinery Twic Card
Salary range: $66,000 - $88,000
Refinery Twic Card is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Refinery Twic Card jobs pay between $66,000 (25th percentile) and $88,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Refinery Twic Card job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Regeneration Operator
Salary range: $35,000 - $46,000
Regeneration Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Regeneration Operator jobs pay between $35,000 (25th percentile) and $46,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Regeneration Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Spain Forklift
Salary range: $34,000 - $40,000
Spain Forklift is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Spain Forklift jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $40,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Spain Forklift job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Oil Refinery Operator Trainee
Salary range: $33,000 - $51,000
Oil Refinery Operator Trainee is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Oil Refinery Operator Trainee jobs pay between $33,000 (25th percentile) and $51,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Oil Refinery Operator Trainee job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Navajo Refinery
Salary range: $38,000 - $111,500
Navajo Refinery is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Navajo Refinery jobs pay between $38,000 (25th percentile) and $111,500 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Navajo Refinery job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Oil Refinery
Salary range: $28,000 - $36,000
Oil Refinery is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Oil Refinery jobs pay between $28,000 (25th percentile) and $36,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Oil Refinery job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Entry Level Refinery Twic Card
Salary range: $35,000 - $54,000
Entry Level Refinery Twic Card is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Entry Level Refinery Twic Card jobs pay between $35,000 (25th percentile) and $54,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Entry Level Refinery Twic Card job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
International Oil Refinery
Salary range: $28,000 - $36,000
International Oil Refinery is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for International Oil Refinery jobs pay between $28,000 (25th percentile) and $36,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for International Oil Refinery job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Refinery Process Operator
Salary range: $38,000 - $48,000
Refinery Process Operator is a typical job search query Most salaries for Refinery Process Operator jobs pay between $38,000 (25th percentile) and $48,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Refinery Process Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All Jobs Refinery Operator Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Refinery Operator Jobs in 2026