Gas Plant Operators
Gas Plant Operators (SOC 51-8092) earn a median $87,820 a year ($42.22 an hour) in the United States, with 18,030 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is California.
What gas plant operators do
Gas plant operators process and distribute gas for utility companies and industrial plants. Control boards and semi-automatic equipment give them command of compressors that hold pressure on main pipelines, and of scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration units used to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas. Throughout the shift they monitor temperature, level, and flow gauges, carry out regular checks of units on the plant floor, and regulate gas flow and pressure to the feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and other heating equipment. Readings of temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows are recorded and compiled, and when pressure varies abnormally, the operator works out the cause and recommends fixes, such as adding piping to relieve an overloaded line. Operators also collaborate with each other to solve problems with a unit.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, a high school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education reported by workers in this occupation.
Also called: Bulk Gas Specialist, Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech), Engine Room Operator, Field Gauger, Fuel Attendant.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $29.50 | $36.96 | $42.22 | $48.49 | $55.54 | $42.65 | 18,030 |
| Annual | $61,350 | $76,870 | $87,820 | $100,870 | $115,520 | $88,710 | ||
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 plant 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 | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $44.52 | $50.05 | $62.61 | $64.81 | $67.50 | $58.02 | 800 | 0.04 | 0.38 |
| Annual | $92,610 | $104,100 | $130,220 | $134,800 | $140,400 | $120,680 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $41.84 | $50.20 | $53.32 | $59.50 | $61.65 | $53.60 | 190 | 0.05 | 0.38 |
| Annual | $87,020 | $104,410 | $110,900 | $123,750 | $128,230 | $111,490 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $41.45 | $49.09 | $52.77 | $57.04 | $60.38 | $52.89 | 70 | 0.04 | 0.33 |
| Annual | $86,210 | $102,110 | $109,760 | $118,640 | $125,590 | $110,010 | ||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $40.04 | $44.27 | $52.43 | $53.31 | $56.94 | $49.65 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $83,280 | $92,070 | $109,060 | $110,880 | $118,430 | $103,270 | ||||
| Louisiana | Hourly | $24.47 | $35.21 | $52.09 | $52.09 | $55.48 | $44.84 | 800 | 0.41 | 3.54 |
| Annual | $50,890 | $73,230 | $108,350 | $108,350 | $115,390 | $93,270 | ||||
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 | $29.80 | $37.33 | $38.42 | $45.37 | $47.52 | $39.31 | 2,550 | 0.18 | 1.57 |
| Annual | $61,990 | $77,640 | $79,910 | $94,360 | $98,840 | $81,770 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $29.84 | $36.80 | $38.85 | $46.02 | $49.07 | $40.39 | 1,370 | 0.23 | 1.95 |
| Annual | $62,060 | $76,550 | $80,810 | $95,720 | $102,060 | $84,020 | ||||
| Oklahoma | Hourly | $28.73 | $30.86 | $37.65 | $41.50 | $46.91 | $37.30 | 970 | 0.57 | 4.90 |
| Annual | $59,750 | $64,190 | $78,310 | $86,310 | $97,560 | $77,580 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $44.52 | $50.05 | $62.61 | $64.81 | $67.50 | $58.02 | 800 | 0.04 | 0.38 |
| Annual | $92,610 | $104,100 | $130,220 | $134,800 | $140,400 | $120,680 | ||||
| Louisiana | Hourly | $24.47 | $35.21 | $52.09 | $52.09 | $55.48 | $44.84 | 800 | 0.41 | 3.54 |
| Annual | $50,890 | $73,230 | $108,350 | $108,350 | $115,390 | $93,270 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $49.87 | $51.79 | $60.36 | $63.73 | $63.74 | $58.22 | 210 | 0.03 | 0.29 |
| Annual | $103,720 | $107,720 | $125,550 | $132,570 | $132,570 | $121,110 | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Hourly | $27.91 | $49.30 | $59.85 | $67.43 | $67.43 | $54.84 | 90 | 0.05 | 0.43 |
| Annual | $58,040 | $102,550 | $124,480 | $140,260 | $140,260 | $114,070 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $41.84 | $52.50 | $57.15 | $59.50 | $62.55 | $55.44 | 270 | 0.03 | 0.24 |
| Annual | $87,020 | $109,200 | $118,870 | $123,750 | $130,100 | $115,310 | ||||
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Hourly | $41.04 | $48.45 | $57.04 | $57.21 | $60.17 | $52.96 | 50 | 0.04 | 0.34 |
| Annual | $85,360 | $100,780 | $118,640 | $119,010 | $125,140 | $110,150 | ||||
| Baton Rouge, LA | Hourly | $24.03 | $34.86 | $54.60 | $54.60 | $54.60 | $45.79 | 100 | 0.25 | 2.15 |
| Annual | $49,980 | $72,500 | $113,570 | $113,570 | $113,570 | $95,240 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $33.83 | $37.49 | $41.12 | $45.39 | $48.40 | $40.89 | 1,510 | 0.46 | 3.95 |
| Annual | $70,370 | $77,980 | $85,530 | $94,420 | $100,660 | $85,040 | ||||
| Pittsburgh, PA | Hourly | $31.35 | $38.14 | $39.23 | $46.23 | $48.88 | $41.72 | 440 | 0.40 | 3.44 |
| Annual | $65,210 | $79,330 | $81,600 | $96,160 | $101,670 | $86,780 | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Hourly | $41.24 | $47.15 | $47.42 | $53.15 | $53.15 | $48.05 | 360 | 0.22 | 1.92 |
| Annual | $85,770 | $98,080 | $98,640 | $110,550 | $110,550 | $99,940 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $32.69 | $41.12 | $49.43 | $54.16 | $54.27 | $46.40 | 340 | 0.08 | 0.65 |
| Annual | $68,000 | $85,530 | $102,810 | $112,660 | $112,890 | $96,520 | ||||
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | Hourly | $46.02 | $47.64 | $52.24 | $53.32 | $58.59 | $49.99 | 290 | 0.15 | 1.29 |
| Annual | $95,720 | $99,090 | $108,650 | $110,910 | $121,860 | $103,970 | ||||
Top industries employing gas plant operators
Natural Gas Distribution employ 38.9% of gas plant operators nationally (7,020 jobs) at a median $92,090 a year ($44.28 an hour), followed by Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas (28.8%) and Oil and Gas Extraction (6.2%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas Distribution NAICS 221200 | 7,020 | 38.9% | $92,090 | $44.28 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas NAICS 486200 | 5,200 | 28.8% | $83,620 | $40.20 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction NAICS 211100 | 1,110 | 6.2% | $83,500 | $40.15 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 1,000 | 5.5% | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution NAICS 221100 | 880 | 4.9% | $99,130 | $47.66 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (18,030). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $77,850 for gas plant operators in May 2021 and $87,820 in May 2025, with employment of 15,110 and 18,030.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $77,850 | $37.43 | 15,110 |
| May 2022 | $79,460 | $38.20 | 14,290 |
| May 2023 | $82,560 | $39.69 | 15,930 |
| May 2024 | $83,400 | $40.10 | 15,910 |
| May 2025 | $87,820 | $42.22 | 18,030 |
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
44 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 | California profile | $62.61 | $130,220 | $92,610 | $140,400 | 800 | 0.04 | 0.38 |
| 2 | New Jersey profile | $53.32 | $110,900 | $87,020 | $128,230 | 190 | 0.05 | 0.38 |
| 3 | Oregon profile | $52.77 | $109,760 | $86,210 | $125,590 | 70 | 0.04 | 0.33 |
| 4 | Connecticut profile | $52.43 | $109,060 | $83,280 | $118,430 | ** | ** | ** |
| 5 | Louisiana profile | $52.09 | $108,350 | $50,890 | $115,390 | 800 | 0.41 | 3.54 |
| 6 | Arizona profile | $50.29 | $104,600 | $73,720 | $112,540 | 140 | 0.04 | 0.38 |
| 7 | Massachusetts profile | $49.92 | $103,830 | $75,600 | $119,590 | 340 | 0.10 | 0.82 |
| 8 | Maryland profile | $49.49 | $102,950 | $61,920 | $107,940 | 180 | 0.07 | 0.58 |
| 9 | South Dakota profile | $48.78 | $101,450 | $83,530 | $104,660 | 90 | 0.19 | 1.65 |
| 10 | Arkansas profile | $48.49 | $100,870 | $64,940 | $103,700 | 400 | 0.31 | 2.68 |
| 11 | Michigan profile | $48.32 | $100,500 | $92,190 | $121,440 | 540 | 0.12 | 1.07 |
| 12 | Minnesota profile | $48.32 | $100,500 | $78,320 | $100,610 | 360 | 0.12 | 1.06 |
| 13 | New York profile | $47.31 | $98,390 | $70,460 | $119,950 | 240 | 0.03 | 0.21 |
| 14 | Utah profile | $47.26 | $98,300 | $83,510 | $102,600 | 160 | 0.09 | 0.81 |
| 15 | Colorado profile | $47.15 | $98,080 | $75,590 | $110,550 | 570 | 0.20 | 1.70 |
| 16 | Illinois profile | $47.03 | $97,810 | $51,880 | $112,700 | 530 | 0.09 | 0.74 |
| 17 | New Mexico profile | $46.95 | $97,660 | $72,440 | $108,670 | 300 | 0.35 | 3.01 |
| 18 | North Dakota profile | $46.52 | $96,760 | $76,570 | $129,410 | 770 | 1.80 | 15.56 |
| 19 | Maine profile | $45.19 | $93,990 | $61,390 | $104,060 | 30 | 0.05 | 0.46 |
| 20 | Iowa profile | $44.70 | $92,970 | $59,840 | $100,480 | 480 | 0.31 | 2.65 |
| 21 | Missouri profile | $42.22 | $87,820 | $64,080 | $105,240 | 220 | 0.08 | 0.64 |
| 22 | Nebraska profile | $42.21 | $87,790 | $76,780 | $98,550 | 270 | 0.27 | 2.28 |
| 23 | Virginia profile | $41.59 | $86,500 | $73,520 | $100,430 | 400 | 0.10 | 0.84 |
| 24 | Indiana profile | $41.24 | $85,790 | $56,060 | $118,550 | 280 | 0.09 | 0.76 |
| 25 | Wisconsin profile | $40.91 | $85,080 | $60,880 | $106,270 | 150 | 0.05 | 0.43 |
| 26 | Washington profile | $40.22 | $83,650 | $48,610 | $127,810 | 120 | 0.03 | 0.29 |
| 27 | Montana profile | $40.21 | $83,630 | $67,580 | $101,260 | 70 | 0.15 | 1.26 |
| 28 | West Virginia profile | $39.71 | $82,600 | $52,000 | $100,460 | 420 | 0.61 | 5.22 |
| 29 | Ohio profile | $39.49 | $82,130 | $56,890 | $101,520 | 570 | 0.10 | 0.88 |
| 30 | Mississippi profile | $39.23 | $81,600 | $54,310 | $90,550 | 340 | 0.29 | 2.50 |
| 31 | Wyoming profile | $39.21 | $81,550 | $66,980 | $110,220 | 480 | 1.70 | 14.64 |
| 32 | North Carolina profile | $39.16 | $81,460 | $62,120 | $113,860 | 320 | 0.06 | 0.55 |
| 33 | Georgia profile | $39.05 | $81,220 | $45,180 | $114,670 | 110 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania profile | $38.85 | $80,810 | $62,060 | $102,060 | 1,370 | 0.23 | 1.95 |
| 35 | Kansas profile | $38.83 | $80,760 | $60,180 | $106,270 | 350 | 0.24 | 2.09 |
| 36 | Texas profile | $38.42 | $79,910 | $61,990 | $98,840 | 2,550 | 0.18 | 1.57 |
| 37 | Idaho profile | $38.12 | $79,280 | $51,720 | $98,350 | 50 | 0.06 | 0.49 |
| 38 | Oklahoma profile | $37.65 | $78,310 | $59,750 | $97,560 | 970 | 0.57 | 4.90 |
| 39 | Alabama profile | $37.08 | $77,120 | $53,880 | $97,720 | ** | ** | ** |
| 40 | South Carolina profile | $32.49 | $67,580 | $45,870 | $89,960 | 280 | 0.12 | 1.06 |
| 41 | Florida profile | $32.29 | $67,170 | $49,490 | $82,450 | 130 | 0.01 | 0.12 |
| 42 | Tennessee profile | $32.00 | $66,560 | $58,920 | $95,260 | 200 | 0.06 | 0.54 |
| 43 | Kentucky profile | $30.32 | $63,070 | $39,590 | $96,940 | 200 | 0.10 | 0.86 |
| – | Alaska profile | * | * | * | * | 220 | 0.67 | 5.81 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (51-8090), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Production 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 51-8092 Gas Plant 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 51-8092, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 51-8092.00, 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.