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.
Gas Plant Operator Responsibilities
- Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus.
- 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.
- Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.
- Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.
- Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
- Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.
Featured schools near , edit
What a Gas Plant Operator Should Know
When polled, Gas Plant Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Gas Plant Dispatcher
- Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator)
- Water Gas Operator
- Field Gauger
- Gas Producer
Job Outlook for Gas Plant Operators
There were about 17,300 jobs for Gas Plant Operator in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Gas Plant Operator. The BLS estimates 1,700 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Average Gas Plant Operators 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 do Gas Plant Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Gas Plant Operators:
- 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.
What work experience do I need to become a Gas Plant Operator?
Gas Plant Operators Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Gas Plant Operators employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.