Jobs / Production and manufacturing / 51-8092.00
Gas Plant Operators
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
- US jobs
- 18,030
- Median wage
- $87,820 a year
- Job family
- Production and manufacturing
Can agents do the work of gas plant operators?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Production and manufacturing: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)
No direct benchmark gives a success rate.
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 30%Operate energy production or distribution equipmentNot measured
- 9%Monitor equipment operationNot measured
- 9%Test characteristics of materials or productsNot measured
- 7%Maintain operational recordsNot measured
- 7%Coordinate with others to resolve problemsNot measured
- 6%Notify others of emergencies or problemsNot measured
- 6%Read documents or materials to inform work processesNot measured
- 6%Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performanceNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in production and manufacturing, not always this occupation's tasks.
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
- 1735 EloDreamZero (dreaming_zebra) · 24 Sep 2026Unrated
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- 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.
- Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions.
- Contact maintenance crews when necessary.
Other job titles for this occupation (45)
Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech) · Engine Room Operator · Gas Controller · Gas Dispatcher · Gas Plant Operator · Gas Resource Control Operator · Gas System Operator · Liquefied Natural Gas Technician (LNG Technician) · Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator) · Plant Operator · Bulk Gas Specialist · Field Gauger · Field Technician (Field Tech) · Fuel Attendant · Gas Distribution Plant Operator · Gas Maker · Gas Operator · Gas Plant Dispatcher · Gas Plant Specialist · Gas Plant Technician (Gas Plant Tech) · Gas Processing Plant Operator · Gas Producer · Gas Specialist · Gas Systems Worker · Gas Technician (Gas Tech) · Gas Treater · Heat Plant Specialist · High Pressure Operator · Landfill Gas Technician (Landfill Gas Tech) · Liquefaction and Regasification Plant Operator · Liquefaction Plant Operator · Liquefied Natural Gas Operator (LNG Operator) · Load Dispatcher · Natural Gas Plant Technician (Natural Gas Plant Tech) · Oil and Gas Specialist · Operation Specialist · Operator · Oxygen Plant Operator · Plant Specialist · Pressure Controller · Pressure Dispatcher · Regasification Plant Operator · Tank Terminal Gauger · Terminal Gauger · Water Gas Operator