Who Earns What

How much does a gas plant operator make?

US Gas Plant Operators
$87,820

a year · about $42 an hour

A typical gas plant operator in the United States makes $87,820 a year, about $42 an hour, about 1.7× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

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.

Did you know? Some wellhead natural gas is already dry enough to meet pipeline standards, so it can skip processing at a gas plant.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$87,820
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $61,350 and $115,520
46 of 100
not many

How do you become one?

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.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

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.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in California ($130,220), lowest in Oklahoma ($78,310).

See every state
Whole US$87,820
California$130,220
Louisiana$108,350
Michigan$100,500
Colorado$98,080
Illinois$97,810
Pennsylvania$80,810
Texas$79,910
Oklahoma$78,310

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Gas plant operator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$61,350$87,820$115,520about 18,000
States where gas plant operators earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
California$130,220about 800
Louisiana$108,350about 800
Michigan$100,500about 540
Colorado$98,080about 570
Illinois$97,810about 530

Official definition: Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.

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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY