Gas Plant Operators
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Also called: Bulk Gas Specialist, Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech), Engine Room Operator, Field Gauger, Field Technician (Field Tech), Fuel Attendant
Median pay
$87,820
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$61,350 – $115,520
People employed
18,030
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
Gas Plant Operators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (43 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What gas plant operators do
- 01Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.
- 02Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.
- 03Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
- 04Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.
- 05Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
- 06Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from gas plant operators
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators90% · −12%
- Wellhead Pumpers80% · −20%
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers78% · −30%
- Locomotive Engineers78% · −7%
- Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation78% · group pay
Change into gas plant operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators92% · $77,320
- Wellhead Pumpers89% · $69,960
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers87% · $61,770
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders80% · $58,040
- Geothermal Technicians80% · $49,230
Majors that lead here
- Petroleum Technology/Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.