What is a Gas Plant Operator?
Gas Plant Operator Definition Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
A Day in the Life of a Gas Plant Operator
- Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.
- Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.
- Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.
- Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.
- Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.
- Start and shut down plant equipment.
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Qualities of a Gas Plant Operator
Below is a list of the skills most Gas Plant Operators say are important on the job.
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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Gas Plant Operator
- Regasification Plant Operator
- Liquefied Natural Gas Specialist (LNG Specialist)
- Gas Dispatcher
- Compressor Station Operator
- Field Operation Specialist
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.
Salary for a Gas Plant Operator
The average yearly salary of a Gas Plant Operator ranges between $45,830 and $100,410.

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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Gas Plant Operators
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?
Are there Gas Plant Operators education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Gas Plant Operators?

The table below shows the approximate number of Gas Plant Operators employed by various industries.

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Gas Plant Operator may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Gas Plant Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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