Gas Plant Operators Salary
The median gas plant operators salary in the United States is $87,820 per year ($42.22/hour). Salaries range from $61,350 at the entry level to $115,520+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 18,030 gas plant operators jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 8.8% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$87,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.22
per hour
Employment
18,030
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$61,350
25th percentile
$76,870
Median
$87,820
75th percentile
$100,870
90th percentile
$115,520
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-8.8%
Decline
Annual Openings
1,300
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Long-term on-the-job training
Gas Plant Operators Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$63K$130K■ No data
Top Paying States
California
$130K
+48%
New Jersey
$111K
+26%
Oregon
$110K
+25%
Connecticut
$109K
+24%
Louisiana
$108K
+23%
Arizona
$105K
+19%
Massachusetts
$104K
+18%
Maryland
$103K
+17%
South Dakota
$101K
+16%
Arkansas
$101K
+15%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $130,220 | +48.3% |
| New Jersey | $110,900 | +26.3% |
| Oregon | $109,760 | +25.0% |
| Connecticut | $109,060 | +24.2% |
| Louisiana | $108,350 | +23.4% |
| Arizona | $104,600 | +19.1% |
| Massachusetts | $103,830 | +18.2% |
| Maryland | $102,950 | +17.2% |
| South Dakota | $101,450 | +15.5% |
| Arkansas | $100,870 | +14.9% |
Showing 1–10 of 43
Gas Plant Operators Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $125,550 | +43.0% |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $124,480 | +41.7% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $118,870 | +35.4% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $118,640 | +35.1% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $113,570 | +29.3% |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $108,650 | +23.7% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $104,770 | +19.3% |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $104,440 | +18.9% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,810 | +17.1% |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $102,390 | +16.6% |
Showing 1–10 of 51
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A gas plant operators earning $87,820/year would need 679 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 729 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how gas plant operators salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Gas Plant Operators salary trend (2011–2024) →