Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.
Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.
Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.
Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
Top skills:Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringCritical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision Making
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Gas Plant Operator pay by experience level
Entry level$63,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$79,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$91,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$104,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$119,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-8.8%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,300
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Gas Plant Operator salary by industry
Utilities
7,920 workers
$96,000
Natural Gas Distribution
7,020 workers
$95,500
Pipeline Transportation
5,710 workers
$91,500
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas
5,200 workers
$91,000
Oil and Gas Extraction
1,110 workers
$94,000
Oil and Gas Extraction
1,110 workers
$94,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
1,000 workers
$68,500
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,000 workers
$68,500
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
880 workers
$104,500
Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil
480 workers
$93,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Gas Plant Operator pays 64% above the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Gas Plant Operator make?
The average base salary for a Gas Plant Operator in the United States is $92,000 per year, or about $44.23 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $79,500 and $104,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Production roles?
The Production job family averages $56,000 across 112 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
