What Do Gas Plant Operator Do?
Example of Gas Plant Operator Job Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
List of Gas Plant Operator Job Duties
- Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks.
- Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.
- Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems.
- Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.
- Contact maintenance crews when necessary.
- Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Gas Plant Operator?
These are the skills Gas Plant Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Gas Dispatcher
- Natural Gas Plant Technician
- Plant Operator
- Gas Producer
- Engine Room Operator
Job Outlook for Gas Plant Operators
In the United States, there were 17,300 jobs for Gas Plant Operator in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Gas Plant Operator. There will be an estimated 1,700 positions for Gas Plant Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Gas Plant Operator are Washington, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, Wisconsin, or Kentucky. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Gas Plant Operator Salary
The salary for Gas Plant Operators ranges between about $45,830 and $100,410 a year.

Gas Plant Operators who work in California, Massachusetts, or North Dakota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Gas Plant Operators make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $70,950 |
Alaska | $63,430 |
Arizona | $62,000 |
Arkansas | $66,620 |
California | $101,610 |
Colorado | $70,260 |
Florida | $50,660 |
Georgia | $59,900 |
Illinois | $74,590 |
Indiana | $68,580 |
Iowa | $54,440 |
Kansas | $67,660 |
Kentucky | $68,240 |
Louisiana | $68,370 |
Maryland | $81,460 |
Massachusetts | $85,470 |
Michigan | $76,690 |
Minnesota | $72,810 |
Mississippi | $60,460 |
Missouri | $73,370 |
Montana | $70,400 |
Nebraska | $61,120 |
New Hampshire | $69,370 |
New Jersey | $75,150 |
New Mexico | $61,910 |
New York | $77,460 |
North Carolina | $61,280 |
North Dakota | $85,740 |
Ohio | $68,680 |
Oklahoma | $64,560 |
Oregon | $75,560 |
Pennsylvania | $67,210 |
South Carolina | $53,070 |
Tennessee | $56,170 |
Texas | $68,690 |
Utah | $68,550 |
Virginia | $63,950 |
Washington | $82,790 |
West Virginia | $70,730 |
Wyoming | $73,870 |
What Tools & Technology do Gas Plant Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Gas Plant Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- SAP
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Work scheduling software
How do I Become a Gas Plant Operator?
Learn what Gas Plant Operator education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Gas Plant Operator?

Where do Gas Plant Operators Work?

Gas Plant Operators work in the following industries:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Gas Plant Operator may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Gas Plant Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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