How much does a gas plant operator make?
The median gas plant operator in the United States earns $83,400 per year, about $40.10 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all gas plant operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-8092.
Gas plant operator salary range
Pay for gas plant operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $59,040 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $109,350. The average (mean) wage of $85,470 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 | $59,040 | $28.38 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $73,150 | $35.17 | |
| Median (50th) | $83,400 | $40.10 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $100,000 | $48.08 | |
| 90th percentile | $109,350 | $52.57 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for gas plant operators (SOC 51-8092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Gas plant operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Gas plant operators earn the most in California at $124,980 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $62,920. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $124,980 | 630 |
| Connecticut | $107,400 | 90 |
| Oregon | $106,210 | 80 |
| Louisiana | $105,030 | 1,120 |
| New Jersey | $104,960 | 230 |
| Maryland | $104,340 | 140 |
| Massachusetts | $100,570 | 480 |
| Michigan | $98,320 | 480 |
| South Dakota | $98,170 | 80 |
| Illinois | $95,950 | 810 |
| Utah | $95,690 | 160 |
| Arizona | $94,900 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $94,050 | 250 |
| North Dakota | $93,910 | 160 |
| Colorado | $92,420 | 480 |
| New York | $91,100 | 220 |
| Georgia | $90,610 | 120 |
| Iowa | $89,070 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $87,170 | 200 |
| Washington | $85,870 | 150 |
| Missouri | $84,980 | 310 |
| New Hampshire | $84,800 | 30 |
| Minnesota | $84,760 | 110 |
| Indiana | $83,420 | 180 |
| Texas | $82,760 | 1,590 |
| Nebraska | $82,290 | 190 |
| Arkansas | $81,310 | 260 |
| South Carolina | $81,000 | 270 |
| Wyoming | $80,760 | 690 |
| West Virginia | $79,710 | 410 |
| Mississippi | $79,530 | 450 |
| Virginia | $78,780 | N/A |
| Kansas | $78,110 | 380 |
| Montana | $77,630 | N/A |
| Idaho | $76,800 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $76,570 | 980 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,070 | 780 |
| North Carolina | $75,140 | 270 |
| Ohio | $74,500 | 660 |
| Alabama | $73,270 | 250 |
| Florida | $71,490 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $64,670 | 340 |
| Kentucky | $62,920 | 290 |
State median wages for gas plant operators (SOC 51-8092), 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 plant operators
The BLS projects employment of gas plant operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 6%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 18,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 17,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,400 openings a year for gas plant 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 plant operator
The typical entry-level education for gas plant operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-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 plant operator earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $124,980) and the lowest (Kentucky, $62,920) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 15,910 people work as gas plant operators in the United States. At $83,400 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Gas plant operator salary FAQ
How much does a gas plant operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a gas plant operator is $40.10. The middle half of gas plant operators earn between $35.17 and $48.08 per hour.
What is the highest gas plant operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of gas plant operators earn more than $109,350 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a gas plant operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a gas plant operator is $83,400. The average (mean) wage of $85,470 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 plant operator a well paid job?
At $83,400 a year, a gas plant operator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 15,910 people work as gas plant operators in the United States.
Which state pays gas plant operators the most?
California has the highest median salary for gas plant operators at $124,980 a year. Connecticut ($107,400) and Oregon ($106,210) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a gas plant operator a good career?
Employment of gas plant operators is projected to shrink 6% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a gas plant operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for gas plant operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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