Top Refinery Operator Training Programs in Washington: Boost Your Career Today
This article explains the top training programs for refinery operators in Washington. It covers program details, key refineries, course content, and job opportunities.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Refineries in Anacortes/Ferndale/Blaine/Tacoma expect HS/GED, driver’s license, legal work status, passing assessments/drug/medical screens, and availability for 12‑hour rotating shifts; postings often prefer prior process experience or tech/PTEC credentials and require the ability to qualify on units and work at heights/SCBA. TWIC may be needed for dock assignments.
Refinery Operator Training Programs in Washington
Training programs teach the skills needed for oil refining. These programs prepare students for entry-level jobs. They follow safety rules and meet industry standards.
Lower Columbia College (Longview) – Automation, Instrumentation & Robotics (AAS)
- Address: 1600 Maple St, Longview, WA 98632, United States
- Tel: +1 360-442-2322
- Tuition fee: $1,598/quarter
Technical training for modern industrial plants, combining automation systems, industrial instrumentation, robotics, and equipment maintenance – skills that map directly to control‑room and field work in process operations.
Program highlights
- AAS degree (98 credits) designed for hands‑on troubleshooting, repair, and optimization of complex industrial systems.
- Core courses include Programmable Logic Controllers (IMIN 215), Process Technology Equipment (IMIN 230), Instrumentation Fundamentals (IMIN 240), and Advanced Instrumentation (IMIN 260), plus hydraulics, predictive maintenance, and robotics.
- Applied learning with a cooperative work experience component.
Perry Technical Institute (Yakima) – Instrumentation, Automation & Robotics Technology (2‑year)
- Address: 2011 W Washington Ave, Yakima, WA 98903, United States
- Tel: +1 509-453-0374
- Tuition fee: $50,060 (2 years)
A hands‑on instrumentation and controls program that prepares technicians for industries such as energy, manufacturing, mining and refining. Training centers on the measurement, control, and automation systems operators rely on to keep processes on target.
Program highlights
- Two‑year, in‑person program focused on plant instrumentation and industrial automation.
- Deep practice with PLCs, transmitters, transducers, recorders and controllers to simulate real control techniques.
- Build operator‑adjacent skills: monitor, install, troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate controls for temperature, level, flow, and pressure.
Pathways Into Refinery Operations
You don’t have to enroll in a course with “refinery operations” in the name to start your career. Technical programs in related fields teach many of the same skills – control systems, equipment operations, safety, and process logic – that refineries rely on every day.
In Washington, although the page may not list a specific alternate program, good options include Process Technology, Instrumentation & Controls, Industrial Maintenance, Petroleum Technology, or Safety & Compliance. These pathways teach you how to monitor systems, troubleshoot equipment, interpret control logic, and work safely – skills that help you enter field or board operator roles and grow into control room or supervisory positions over time.
Average Rent Near Refinery Operator Training Schools in Washington
Here’s a simple statewide snapshot students can use while they narrow to a college or training center. Off‑campus figures are recent 1‑bedroom averages (Sept 2025). On‑campus figures vary by school, so they’re omitted here.
- Seattle – ~$2,121/mo (1‑BR). Apartments.com
- Tacoma – ~$1,482/mo (1‑BR). Apartments.com
- Spokane – ~$1,137/mo (1‑BR). Apartments.com
- Vancouver (WA) – ~$1,542/mo (1‑BR). Apartments.com
- Bellingham – ~$1,546/mo (1‑BR). Apartments.com
- Everett – ~$1,638/mo (1‑BR). Apartments.com
- Olympia – ~$1,506/mo (1‑BR). Apartments.com
- Yakima – ~$952/mo (1‑BR). Apartments.com
(Statewide 1‑bedroom average: ~$1,846/mo.) Apartments.com
Additional cost considerations
If you’ll rent off campus in Washington, plan for utilities, getting to/from campus or work, and day‑to‑day essentials. Numbers below keep things straightforward and use Washington‑specific sources.
Utilities
What students commonly pay (your lease may bundle some items):
- Electricity: Washington’s **average residential bill ~ $107.35/month (EIA 2023). In Spokane specifically (Avista territory), a typical residential electricity bill is about $116.39/month (2025). U.S. Energy Information Administration+1
- Natural gas (heat/cooking):
- Puget Sound Energy (PSE) territory: a typical residential gas customer averages ~$88.21/month (2025). UTC
- Spokane/Avista territory: Avista’s filing shows a typical residential gas bill ~$96.01/month at 66 therms (2025). Avista Utilities
- Water & sewer (examples so you can budget):
- Seattle (SPU) – Typical monthly sewer bill: $82.60 (2025); water usage charged by CCF (e.g., $6.60/CCF off‑peak in 2025). Seattle+1
- Spokane (city utilities) – Water service $19.04/mo + water/wastewater capital charge $34.43/mo and sewer $37.74/mo (inside city, 2025). Spokane City
- Home internet: entry plans around $50–$55/month are widely available (e.g., Quantum Fiber 500 Mbps $50/mo; Xfinity 300 Mbps $55/mo, 5‑year price guarantee). Quantum Fiber+2Xfinity+2
Transport and commute costs
Options vary by city; these are the simple benchmarks students use most:
- Seattle metro (ORCA PugetPass): monthly pass priced by fare value – e.g., $99 (covers $2.75 fares), $117 (covers $3.25 fares). myORCA
- Spokane Transit (STA): fare capping to a $60 monthly max for adults; youth ride free. Spokane Transit+1
- Vancouver (WA) / C‑TRAN (Hop Fastpass): adult fares use daily and monthly caps across the region; regional monthly cap historically ~$105 and under review for $115 in 2026. C-TRAN
- If you drive: Washington’s average regular gas price is typically among the nation’s highest; current AAA snapshots show Seattle $4.79/gal, Spokane $4.27/gal, Tacoma $4.68/gal (regular). AAA Fuel Prices
Food and supplies
MIT’s Living Wage Calculator is a clean guide for planning monthly essentials:
- Groceries (“Food”) – Spokane County: $4,473/year → plan ≈ $373/month for one adult. (Data updated Feb 10, 2025.) Living Wage Calculator+1
- “Other” necessities (personal care, small household items, etc.) – Spokane County: $4,749/year → ≈ $396/month. In the budget below, this is split across Personal supplies, Dining out & entertainment, and Miscellaneous to keep it simple. Living Wage Calculator
Sample monthly budget
Below is a straightforward example for a student in Spokane renting a 1‑bedroom and using STA for most trips. (Figures come straight from the sources above; no calculation steps shown.)
| Expense category | Estimated monthly cost |
| Off campus rent | $1,137 |
| Utilities cost (heat, electric, water, internet) | $359 |
| Groceries | $373 |
| Transport costs | $60 |
| Personal supplies and toiletries | $140 |
| Dining out and entertainment | $180 |
| Miscellaneous | $76 |
| Total estimated monthly cost | $2,325 |
Why Choose Washington
Washington has major refineries that create a steady need for skilled operators. The oil sector values safe practices and technical skills. Training programs help meet these needs and prepare students for work.
Key Refineries in Washington
Washington has two primary refineries. The Marathon Anacortes Refinery processes about 210,000 barrels daily, and the BP Cherry Point Refinery processes around 250,000 barrels daily. Both facilities offer hands-on training and create job opportunities for new operators.
Course Content and Structure
Courses cover safety rules, instrument use, and equipment management. They mix theory with practical training. Students study oil refining tasks and safety procedures. They receive guides, manuals, and documents that can be printed for easy reference.
Course Schedule
Students set their own pace and have one year to complete the course. An orientation session explains the course layout and expectations.
Job Opportunities and Market Insights
Washington offers many entry-level jobs for refinery operators. Salaries range from $25,000 to $95,000 per year. Employees get benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Employers also provide resume help and career advice.
Washington is projected to see strong growth in refinery operator employment over the next decade. With a solid workforce size and a notable percentage increase, the state offers promising opportunities supported by consistent annual openings.
- Employment (2022): 950 employees
- Projected employment (2032): 1,060 employees
- Projected growth (2022–2032): 12%
- Projected annual job openings (2022–2032): 110
Refinery Operator Salaries in Washington
| Area | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean annual wage | Hourly wage 10th percentile | Hourly wage 25th percentile | Hourly wage 75th percentile | Hourly wage 90th percentile |
| Washington | $47.93 | $99,690 | $36.81 | $40.04 | $49.36 | $53.49 |
| Bellingham, WA | $46.56 | $96,850 | $40.04 | $41.20 | $49.36 | $49.36 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $47.10 | $97,960 | $22.73 | $37.52 | $47.10 | $47.10 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $47.57 | $98,950 | $31.53 | $40.54 | $56.05 | $56.55 |
Explore Refinery Operator Job Listings in Washington
Washington openings cluster around Anacortes/Ferndale (Puget Sound refineries), the Tacoma tideflats/Seattle ports, and the Tri-Cities (Hanford/nuclear, power, water). Not every posting is a refinery-operator role – or even on a direct refinery track – but many support process operations, maintenance, and E&I/instrumentation across refineries, terminals, utilities, and large manufacturers. Expect 24/7 facilities with day and rotating shifts; some port-adjacent jobs may require a TWIC.
| Job Title | Company | Location | Date Posted |
| Operator Oil Recycling Sr | Safety-Kleen | Tacoma, WA | 09/16/2025 |
| System Operator I | Snohomish County PUD #1 | Everett, WA | 08/17/2025 |
| System Operator II | Snohomish County PUD #1 | Everett, WA | 08/17/2025 |
| Operator Oil Recycling | Clean Harbors | Tacoma, WA | 08/30/2025 |
Please note: The above mentioned job listings are not permanent and are subject to change. For more accurate information, visit CareerOneStop.org
Certification and Compliance
Students must complete a training program to earn a certificate. The certificate shows that they understand safety rules and process controls. The certification process includes evaluation and assessment. High-hazard facilities require operators to hold specific credentials. The required percentage of skilled operators increased from 20% in 2021 to 60% in 2024.
Financial Assistance and Enrollment
Students can receive scholarships and federal aid – programs like the Marathon Petroleum Scholars Program help with costs. Applicants must provide academic records and work history. They apply with the required documents.
Support and Career Growth
Students get help from advisors and industry professionals. Networking creates chances for internships and jobs. Graduates can advance to higher positions by taking more courses and gaining experience. Continuous learning keeps operators updated on new practices.
Washington offers many opportunities for aspiring refinery operators. Training programs prepare students for safe work in oil refining. Enroll in these programs to start a career in the growing energy sector.