Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators (SOC 53-7071) earn a median $77,320 a year ($37.17 an hour) in the United States, with 3,510 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Kansas.
What gas compressor and gas pumping station operators do
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators run the engines and compressors that move and process gases, such as natural gas, butane, nitrogen, and hydrogen, . The compressors may be powered by steam, gas, electric motors, or internal combustion engines. From a control room or the plant floor, the operator watches meters and pressure gauges for changes in flow, temperature, and pressure, and records instrument readings and changes in operating logs. When something drifts out of range, the operator adjusts valves and control room equipment, or directs other staff to adjust equipment at the problem location. Starting a station means moving controls and turning valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment, and some stations also operate pumps that transfer liquids, semi-liquids, or powders. Operators also take samples of gas and run chemical tests for quality and sulfur or moisture content, or send samples to laboratories, and they submit daily reports on facility operations.
Typical entry: O*NET reports that most workers in this occupation have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Also called: Acetylene Gas Compressor, Air Compressor Technician, Butadiene Compressor Operator, Butane Compressor Operator, Compressor.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $22.20 | $28.17 | $37.17 | $43.76 | $47.84 | $35.87 | 3,510 |
| Annual | $46,180 | $58,580 | $77,320 | $91,020 | $99,510 | $74,610 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where gas compressor and gas pumping station operators earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Kansas | Hourly | $49.25 | $51.48 | $51.79 | $51.79 | $63.28 | $52.05 | 50 | 0.04 | 1.58 |
| Annual | $102,430 | $107,080 | $107,730 | $107,730 | $131,620 | $108,270 | ||||
| Alaska | Hourly | $34.96 | $35.66 | $51.17 | $64.84 | $64.84 | $53.12 | 60 | 0.18 | 8.17 |
| Annual | $72,720 | $74,160 | $106,440 | $134,860 | $134,860 | $110,500 | ||||
| Indiana | Hourly | $44.00 | $47.26 | $48.21 | $48.87 | $51.07 | $47.95 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.56 |
| Annual | $91,520 | $98,300 | $100,280 | $101,640 | $106,230 | $99,730 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $37.93 | $39.57 | $41.31 | $46.26 | $49.61 | $42.83 | 120 | 0.02 | 0.94 |
| Annual | $78,890 | $82,310 | $85,930 | $96,220 | $103,190 | $89,090 | ||||
| Montana | Hourly | $38.73 | $40.26 | $40.27 | $44.64 | $46.85 | $40.11 | 100 | 0.20 | 8.95 |
| Annual | $80,560 | $83,730 | $83,750 | $92,840 | $97,450 | $83,430 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $27.53 | $32.68 | $39.48 | $44.04 | $45.55 | $38.75 | 1,350 | 0.10 | 4.26 |
| Annual | $57,270 | $67,980 | $82,120 | $91,610 | $94,740 | $80,590 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $24.07 | $26.48 | $28.93 | $33.87 | $42.25 | $30.71 | 300 | 0.05 | 2.19 |
| Annual | $50,060 | $55,070 | $60,170 | $70,450 | $87,870 | $63,870 | ||||
| West Virginia | Hourly | $21.77 | $22.06 | $31.27 | $38.98 | $42.36 | $31.30 | 200 | 0.28 | 12.49 |
| Annual | $45,280 | $45,880 | $65,050 | $81,070 | $88,120 | $65,100 | ||||
| Oklahoma | Hourly | $19.36 | $31.14 | $39.50 | $51.19 | $55.96 | $40.88 | 140 | 0.08 | 3.60 |
| Annual | $40,260 | $64,760 | $82,150 | $106,470 | $116,390 | $85,040 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $37.93 | $39.57 | $41.31 | $46.26 | $49.61 | $42.83 | 120 | 0.02 | 0.94 |
| Annual | $78,890 | $82,310 | $85,930 | $96,220 | $103,190 | $89,090 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $28.33 | $37.71 | $43.62 | $44.04 | $45.55 | $40.00 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $58,920 | $78,430 | $90,730 | $91,610 | $94,740 | $83,200 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $29.28 | $29.79 | $38.33 | $45.98 | $47.84 | $37.62 | 100 | 0.02 | 1.05 |
| Annual | $60,890 | $61,950 | $79,720 | $95,640 | $99,510 | $78,240 | ||||
| Charleston, WV | Hourly | $22.28 | $28.99 | $35.14 | $37.49 | $43.35 | $33.62 | 30 | 0.33 | 14.39 |
| Annual | $46,330 | $60,300 | $73,080 | $77,980 | $90,170 | $69,930 | ||||
| Pittsburgh, PA | Hourly | $29.40 | $29.40 | $29.42 | $42.25 | $42.26 | $33.25 | 60 | 0.06 | 2.48 |
| Annual | $61,150 | $61,150 | $61,190 | $87,870 | $87,900 | $69,160 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $29.28 | $29.79 | $38.33 | $45.98 | $47.84 | $37.62 | 100 | 0.02 | 1.05 |
| Annual | $60,890 | $61,950 | $79,720 | $95,640 | $99,510 | $78,240 | ||||
| Pittsburgh, PA | Hourly | $29.40 | $29.40 | $29.42 | $42.25 | $42.26 | $33.25 | 60 | 0.06 | 2.48 |
| Annual | $61,150 | $61,150 | $61,190 | $87,870 | $87,900 | $69,160 | ||||
| Charleston, WV | Hourly | $22.28 | $28.99 | $35.14 | $37.49 | $43.35 | $33.62 | 30 | 0.33 | 14.39 |
| Annual | $46,330 | $60,300 | $73,080 | $77,980 | $90,170 | $69,930 | ||||
Top industries employing gas compressor and gas pumping station operators
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas employ 39.6% of gas compressor and gas pumping station operators nationally (1,390 jobs) at a median $90,730 a year ($43.62 an hour), followed by Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (10.0%) and Natural Gas Distribution (8.3%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas NAICS 486200 | 1,390 | 39.6% | $90,730 | $43.62 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers NAICS 423800 | 350 | 10.0% | $48,540 | $23.34 |
| Natural Gas Distribution NAICS 221200 | 290 | 8.3% | $83,220 | $40.01 |
| Fuel Dealers NAICS 457200 | 230 | 6.6% | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction NAICS 211100 | 200 | 5.7% | $74,230 | $35.69 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (3,510). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $70,720 for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators in May 2021 and $77,320 in May 2025, with employment of 2,910 and 3,510.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $70,720 | $34.00 | 2,910 |
| May 2022 | $59,990 | $28.84 | 3,740 |
| May 2023 | $61,870 | $29.75 | 4,400 |
| May 2024 | $71,510 | $34.38 | 5,110 |
| May 2025 | $77,320 | $37.17 | 3,510 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
21 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas profile | $51.79 | $107,730 | $102,430 | $131,620 | 50 | 0.04 | 1.58 |
| 2 | Alaska profile | $51.17 | $106,440 | $72,720 | $134,860 | 60 | 0.18 | 8.17 |
| 3 | Indiana profile | $48.21 | $100,280 | $91,520 | $106,230 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.56 |
| 4 | Ohio profile | $41.31 | $85,930 | $78,890 | $103,190 | 120 | 0.02 | 0.94 |
| 5 | Montana profile | $40.27 | $83,750 | $80,560 | $97,450 | 100 | 0.20 | 8.95 |
| 6 | Oklahoma profile | $39.50 | $82,150 | $40,260 | $116,390 | 140 | 0.08 | 3.60 |
| 7 | Texas profile | $39.48 | $82,120 | $57,270 | $94,740 | 1,350 | 0.10 | 4.26 |
| 8 | Louisiana profile | $38.45 | $79,970 | $50,340 | $100,420 | 60 | 0.03 | 1.41 |
| 9 | Michigan profile | $37.62 | $78,240 | $56,890 | $110,060 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.45 |
| 10 | Colorado profile | $36.63 | $76,200 | $52,510 | $89,370 | ** | ** | ** |
| 11 | West Virginia profile | $31.27 | $65,050 | $45,280 | $88,120 | 200 | 0.28 | 12.49 |
| 12 | Virginia profile | $31.25 | $64,990 | $36,820 | $98,000 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.38 |
| 13 | Nebraska profile | $31.07 | $64,620 | $47,210 | $82,840 | 40 | 0.03 | 1.53 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania profile | $28.93 | $60,170 | $50,060 | $87,870 | 300 | 0.05 | 2.19 |
| 15 | New York profile | $28.39 | $59,040 | $43,780 | $63,200 | 60 | 0.01 | 0.30 |
| 16 | Washington profile | $27.65 | $57,500 | $42,830 | $69,760 | 120 | 0.03 | 1.44 |
| 17 | Oregon profile | $24.59 | $51,150 | $49,730 | $62,880 | ** | ** | ** |
| 18 | Tennessee profile | $21.80 | $45,350 | $39,620 | $60,220 | ** | ** | ** |
| 19 | South Dakota profile | $21.37 | $44,440 | $37,110 | $78,800 | ** | ** | ** |
| 20 | Alabama profile | $20.88 | $43,440 | $38,910 | $75,050 | 60 | 0.03 | 1.32 |
| – | Massachusetts profile | * | * | * | * | 30 | 0.01 | 0.43 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (53-7070), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Transportation and Material Moving Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 53-7071 Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 53-7071, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 53-7071.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.