Gas Plant Operators Salary by State
The national median pay for gas plant operators is $87,820 a year. By state, it ranges from $63,070 in Kentucky to $130,220 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $61,350
- 25th percentile
- $76,870
- Median
- $87,820
- 75th percentile
- $100,870
- Top 10%
- $115,520
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 18,030 jobs.
Median pay in 43 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $130,220 | +48% | $92,610 | $140,400 | 800 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $110,900 | +26% | $87,020 | $128,230 | 190 |
| 3 | Oregon | $109,760 | +25% | $86,210 | $125,590 | 70 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $109,060 | +24% | $83,280 | $118,430 | Not published |
| 5 | Louisiana | $108,350 | +23% | $50,890 | $115,390 | 800 |
| 6 | Arizona | $104,600 | +19% | $73,720 | $112,540 | 140 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $103,830 | +18% | $75,600 | $119,590 | 340 |
| 8 | Maryland | $102,950 | +17% | $61,920 | $107,940 | 180 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $101,450 | +16% | $83,530 | $104,660 | 90 |
| 10 | Arkansas | $100,870 | +15% | $64,940 | $103,700 | 400 |
| 11 | Michigan | $100,500 | +14% | $92,190 | $121,440 | 540 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $100,500 | +14% | $78,320 | $100,610 | 360 |
| 13 | New York | $98,390 | +12% | $70,460 | $119,950 | 240 |
| 14 | Utah | $98,300 | +12% | $83,510 | $102,600 | 160 |
| 15 | Colorado | $98,080 | +12% | $75,590 | $110,550 | 570 |
| 16 | Illinois | $97,810 | +11% | $51,880 | $112,700 | 530 |
| 17 | New Mexico | $97,660 | +11% | $72,440 | $108,670 | 300 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $96,760 | +10% | $76,570 | $129,410 | 770 |
| 19 | Maine | $93,990 | +7% | $61,390 | $104,060 | 30 |
| 20 | Iowa | $92,970 | +6% | $59,840 | $100,480 | 480 |
| 21 | Missouri | $87,820 | 0% | $64,080 | $105,240 | 220 |
| 22 | Nebraska | $87,790 | 0% | $76,780 | $98,550 | 270 |
| 23 | Virginia | $86,500 | −2% | $73,520 | $100,430 | 400 |
| 24 | Indiana | $85,790 | −2% | $56,060 | $118,550 | 280 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $85,080 | −3% | $60,880 | $106,270 | 150 |
| 26 | Washington | $83,650 | −5% | $48,610 | $127,810 | 120 |
| 27 | Montana | $83,630 | −5% | $67,580 | $101,260 | 70 |
| 28 | West Virginia | $82,600 | −6% | $52,000 | $100,460 | 420 |
| 29 | Ohio | $82,130 | −6% | $56,890 | $101,520 | 570 |
| 30 | Mississippi | $81,600 | −7% | $54,310 | $90,550 | 340 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $81,550 | −7% | $66,980 | $110,220 | 480 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $81,460 | −7% | $62,120 | $113,860 | 320 |
| 33 | Georgia | $81,220 | −8% | $45,180 | $114,670 | 110 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $80,810 | −8% | $62,060 | $102,060 | 1,370 |
| 35 | Kansas | $80,760 | −8% | $60,180 | $106,270 | 350 |
| 36 | Texas | $79,910 | −9% | $61,990 | $98,840 | 2,550 |
| 37 | Idaho | $79,280 | −10% | $51,720 | $98,350 | 50 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $78,310 | −11% | $59,750 | $97,560 | 970 |
| 39 | Alabama | $77,120 | −12% | $53,880 | $97,720 | Not published |
| 40 | South Carolina | $67,580 | −23% | $45,870 | $89,960 | 280 |
| 41 | Florida | $67,170 | −24% | $49,490 | $82,450 | 130 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $66,560 | −24% | $58,920 | $95,260 | 200 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $63,070 | −28% | $39,590 | $96,940 | 200 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Gas Plant Operators salary questions
Which state pays gas plant operators the most?
California, with a median of $130,220 a year (+48% vs. the national median of $87,820). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays gas plant operators the least?
Kentucky, with a median of $63,070 a year (−28% vs. national).
Where do most gas plant operators work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 2,550, with a median of $79,910.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.