All About Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Position Description Operate steam, gas, electric motor, or internal combustion engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.
Daily Life Of a Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator
- Maintain each station by performing general housekeeping duties such as painting, washing, and cleaning.
- Record instrument readings and operational changes in operating logs.
- Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.
- Take samples of gases and conduct chemical tests to determine gas quality and sulfur or moisture content, or send samples to laboratories for analysis.
- Read gas meters, and maintain records of the amounts of gas received and dispensed from holders.
- Move controls and turn valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator?
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator
- Wireline Field Operator
- Compressor Station Operator
- Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator
- Pipeline Systems Operator
- Gas Plant Operator
Are There Job Opportunities for Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators?
In the United States, there were 3,900 jobs for Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.6% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 100 new jobs for Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator by 2026. There will be an estimated 500 positions for Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator are North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Watch out if you plan on working in Montana, Nebraska, or Kentucky. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator
The salary for Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators ranges between about $40,220 and $82,450 a year.

Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators who work in Ohio, Nebraska, or North Dakota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $70,490 |
Colorado | $58,480 |
Florida | $49,690 |
Illinois | $66,630 |
Iowa | $53,700 |
Kansas | $62,990 |
Louisiana | $57,040 |
Maine | $41,580 |
Maryland | $66,360 |
Massachusetts | $64,440 |
Missouri | $48,710 |
Montana | $63,850 |
Nebraska | $69,980 |
New Jersey | $65,930 |
New York | $58,440 |
North Dakota | $67,570 |
Ohio | $71,110 |
Oklahoma | $63,470 |
Pennsylvania | $62,790 |
Tennessee | $52,340 |
Texas | $52,980 |
Utah | $60,120 |
West Virginia | $65,380 |
Wyoming | $59,560 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Becoming a Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator
What education or degrees do I need to become a Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Work?

Below are examples of industries where Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators work:

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator may also be interested in:
- Hunters and Trappers
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Etchers and Engravers
- Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
- Construction Laborers
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Are you already one of the many Gas Compressor or Gas Pumping Station Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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