How much does a gas plant operator make?
Answer: A typical gas plant operator in the United States makes $87,820 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 18,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Gas plant operator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $61,350 | $87,820 | $115,520 | about 18,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $130,220 | about 800 |
| Louisiana | $108,350 | about 800 |
| Michigan | $100,500 | about 540 |
| Colorado | $98,080 | about 570 |
| Illinois | $97,810 | about 530 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, the employer or industry, and location can all affect pay. Night shifts may include extra shift pay, and overtime can also change total earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a gas plant operator do?
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
What's a typical day like?
They watch control-room screens and gauges, checking pressure, temperature, and gas flow. They test gas, adjust compressors or valves, log readings, and alert teammates or repair crews if something seems wrong.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a high-school diploma or GED is usual, and new hires learn on the job for days to a year. Apprenticeships may also be an option; O*NET gives no usual starting age or nationwide entry exam or license.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some wellhead natural gas is already dry enough to meet pipeline standards, so it can skip processing at a gas plant.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/51-8092.00
- www.onetonline.org/skills/zone/51-8092.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- apps.illinoisworknet.com/cis/clusters/OccupationDetails/100331?parentId=111300&s
- www.eia.gov/kids/energy-sources/natural-gas
- www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations/listings?occupationCode=51-809
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY