How much does a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator make?
The median gas compressor and gas pumping station operator in the United States earns $71,510 per year, about $34.38 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all gas compressor and gas pumping station operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-7071.
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operator salary range
Pay for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $43,950 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $98,350. The average (mean) wage of $71,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,950 | $21.13 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $57,520 | $27.65 | |
| Median (50th) | $71,510 | $34.38 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $88,090 | $42.35 | |
| 90th percentile | $98,350 | $47.29 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators (SOC 53-7071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators earn the most in Michigan at $107,550 a year, and the least in Florida at $37,260. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $107,550 | 90 |
| Kansas | $105,790 | 90 |
| Alaska | $104,550 | 80 |
| Indiana | $98,360 | 100 |
| Ohio | $91,740 | 210 |
| New Mexico | $84,960 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $78,780 | 80 |
| Texas | $77,370 | 1,880 |
| Montana | $73,540 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $64,230 | 50 |
| Arkansas | $64,110 | 210 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,080 | 430 |
| Virginia | $63,410 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $62,650 | 40 |
| California | $60,270 | N/A |
| New York | $59,590 | 60 |
| Oregon | $58,720 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $56,670 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $52,000 | 120 |
| Kentucky | $48,980 | 60 |
| Missouri | $47,510 | 40 |
| Washington | $47,360 | N/A |
| Alabama | $39,410 | N/A |
| Florida | $37,260 | 120 |
State median wages for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators (SOC 53-7071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators
The BLS projects employment of gas compressor and gas pumping station operators to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator
The typical entry-level education for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Michigan, $107,550) and the lowest (Florida, $37,260) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,110 people work as gas compressor and gas pumping station operators in the United States. At $71,510 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operator salary FAQ
How much does a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator is $34.38. The middle half of gas compressor and gas pumping station operators earn between $27.65 and $42.35 per hour.
What is the highest gas compressor and gas pumping station operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of gas compressor and gas pumping station operators earn more than $98,350 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator is $71,510. The average (mean) wage of $71,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator a well paid job?
At $71,510 a year, a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,110 people work as gas compressor and gas pumping station operators in the United States.
Which state pays gas compressor and gas pumping station operators the most?
Michigan has the highest median salary for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators at $107,550 a year. Kansas ($105,790) and Alaska ($104,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator a good career?
Employment of gas compressor and gas pumping station operators is projected to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a gas compressor and gas pumping station operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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