Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators: Career Profile
Operate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.
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What Do Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of gas compressor and gas pumping station operators span:
- Monitor meters and pressure gauges to determine consumption rate variations, temperatures, and pressures.
- Respond to problems by adjusting control room equipment or instructing other personnel to adjust equipment at problem locations or in other control areas.
- Record instrument readings and operational changes in operating logs.
- Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.
- Move controls and turn valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
- Operate power-driven pumps that transfer liquids, semi-liquids, gases, or powdered materials.
- Submit daily reports on facility operations.
- Take samples of gases and conduct chemical tests to determine gas quality and sulfur or moisture content, or send samples to laboratories for analysis.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective gas compressor and gas pumping station operators draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Acetylene Gas Compressor
- Air Compressor Technician
- Butadiene Compressor Operator
- Butane Compressor Operator
- Compressor
- Compressor Engineer
- Compressor Operator
- Compressor Station Operator
How Many Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Are There?
There are roughly 1,089,993 gas compressor and gas pumping station operators working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +4.1% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $51,900 |
| Hourly median | $24.95 |
| 10th percentile | $31,317 |
| 25th percentile | $41,608 |
| 75th percentile | $62,191 |
| 90th percentile | $72,483 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Michigan | $107,550 |
| Kansas | $105,790 |
| Alaska | $104,550 |
| Indiana | $98,360 |
| Ohio | $91,740 |
| New Mexico | $84,960 |
| West Virginia | $78,780 |
| Texas | $77,370 |
| Montana | $73,540 |
| Nebraska | $64,230 |
| Arkansas | $64,110 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,080 |
| Virginia | $63,410 |
| Tennessee | $62,650 |
| California | $60,270 |
| New York | $59,590 |
| Oregon | $58,720 |
| North Carolina | $56,670 |
| Oklahoma | $52,000 |
| Kentucky | $48,980 |
| Missouri | $47,510 |
| Washington | $47,360 |
| Alabama | $39,410 |
| Florida | $37,260 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,540 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Pay for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators vary by region. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $104,550 | 2.1% | 7.65 |
| Great Lakes | $96,952 | 10.6% | 0.99 |
| Plains States | $81,294 | 4.8% | 1.44 |
| Southwest | $76,155 | 54.8% | 3.93 |
| Middle Atlantic | $63,530 | 13.0% | 1.93 |
| Southeast | $58,199 | 13.5% | 2.75 |
| Other U.S. Territories | $21,540 | 1.3% | 1.61 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | IL | $98,810 | 30 |
| Cleveland, OH | OH | $90,490 | 30 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | TX | $88,080 | |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | TX | $72,030 | 110 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | PA | $68,590 | 70 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $63,900 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $60,320 | |
| Greeley, CO | CO | $57,530 |
Industry Breakdown
The largest employers of gas compressor and gas pumping station operators are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | 1,970 | $80,830 |
| Wholesale Trade | 780 | $49,480 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 750 | $64,810 |
| Utilities | 500 | $92,020 |
| Retail Trade | 350 | $56,670 |
| Manufacturing | 190 | $63,410 |
| Construction | 80 | $79,940 |
Below are examples of industries where gas compressor and gas pumping station operators work:
Tech Stack
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Telephone Conversations
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
How to Become Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Entry-level gas compressor and gas pumping station operators positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
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References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 53-7071.00 (Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators).
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