Production
Gas Plant Operators
Also called: Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech), Engine Room Operator, Gas Controller, Gas Dispatcher
US median pay
$87,820
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-6%
declining
Openings a year (US)
1,400
18,200 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
- Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.
- Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
- 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.
- Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.
- Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.
- Start and shut down plant equipment.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring4.1/5
- Operation and Control3.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Mechanical3.8/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Mathematics3.2/5
- Engineering and Technology3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma58%
- Post-secondary certificate31%
- Associate's degree11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.