All About Gas Plant Operators
Gas Plant Operator Example Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Life As a Gas Plant Operator
- Start and shut down plant equipment.
- Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
- Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed.
- Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus.
- Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air.
- 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.
Gas Plant Operator Needed Skills
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.
Other Gas Plant Operator Job Titles
- Liquefied Natural Gas Operator (LNG Operator)
- Dispatcher
- Water Gas Operator
- Gas Plant Dispatcher
- Oil and Gas Specialist
Job Demand for Gas Plant Operators
In the United States, there were 17,300 jobs for Gas Plant Operators in 2016.
Gas Plant Operator jobs are decreasing by a rate of 0%. This means the total job opportunities are shrinking. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a loss of jobs for Gas Plant Operators by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,700 positions for Gas Plant Operator per year.
The states with the most job growth for Gas Plant Operators are Texas, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Watch out if you plan on working in Nebraska, Kentucky, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Gas Plant Operators Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Gas Plant Operators is somewhere between $45,830 and $100,410. The median salary is $71,070.
How much do Gas Plant Operators make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
California |
$101,610 |
|
North Dakota |
$85,740 |
|
Massachusetts |
$85,470 |
|
Washington |
$82,790 |
|
Maryland |
$81,460 |
|
New York |
$77,460 |
|
Michigan |
$76,690 |
|
Oregon |
$75,560 |
|
New Jersey |
$75,150 |
|
Illinois |
$74,590 |
|
Wyoming |
$73,870 |
|
Missouri |
$73,370 |
|
Minnesota |
$72,810 |
|
Alabama |
$70,950 |
|
West Virginia |
$70,730 |
|
Montana |
$70,400 |
|
Colorado |
$70,260 |
|
New Hampshire |
$69,370 |
|
Texas |
$68,690 |
|
Ohio |
$68,680 |
|
Indiana |
$68,580 |
|
Utah |
$68,550 |
|
Louisiana |
$68,370 |
|
Kentucky |
$68,240 |
|
Kansas |
$67,660 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$67,210 |
|
Arkansas |
$66,620 |
|
Oklahoma |
$64,560 |
|
Virginia |
$63,950 |
|
Alaska |
$63,430 |
|
Arizona |
$62,000 |
|
New Mexico |
$61,910 |
|
North Carolina |
$61,280 |
|
Nebraska |
$61,120 |
|
Mississippi |
$60,460 |
|
Georgia |
$59,900 |
|
Tennessee |
$56,170 |
|
Iowa |
$54,440 |
|
South Carolina |
$53,070 |
|
Florida |
$50,660 |
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 Word
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- SAP
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
Becoming a Gas Plant Operator
What education is needed to be a Gas Plant Operator?
How Long Does it Take to Become Gas Plant Operator?
Where Gas Plant Operators Are Employed
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming Gas Plant Operators might also be interested in the following careers:
- Computer Operators
- Construction and Building Inspectors
Are you already one of the many Gas Plant Operators in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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.