Occupation · SOC 51-8092
Gas Plant Operators
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Median wage
$83,400
$59,040–$109,350
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
15,910
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
20 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringCritical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive Listening
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityMechanicalEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsMathematics
Technology & tools
Analytical or scientific softwareOperating system softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
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 equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.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.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.Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed.Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment.Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air.Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus.Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems.Change charts in recording meters.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Temperature, pressure, and flow gauges — read and record under direct supervision during routine unit checks at a gas processing facility.Panel boards and control boards — identify key components and their functions under guidance in a gas distribution plant.Operations logs and gauge readings — transcribe accurately into standardized forms following established recording procedures.Safety protocols and emergency shutdown procedures — recognize and follow as directed by a senior operator on shift.Compressors and scrubbers — identify equipment types and describe their basic roles in natural gas processing under instruction.Abnormal gauge readings — detect and report immediately to a supervising operator during routine monitoring rounds.Hand tools and basic inspection instruments — use under direct supervision to perform pre-shift equipment walkarounds.Gas flow and pressure terminology — comprehend and apply correctly when reading operating manuals and shift instructions.Team communications — listen actively and relay information accurately to co-workers and supervisors during shift handovers.Industrial control software interfaces — navigate basic screens to view real-time process data under trainer guidance.
developing
Equipment functioning checks — perform independently on a regular schedule, noting deviations from normal operating parameters at a gas plant.Compressors, evaporators, and refrigeration units — control operations routinely to maintain gas liquefaction and regasification within set specifications.Panel board and semi-automatic control equipment — operate with reduced oversight to distribute and process gas for utility or industrial customers.Gas flow rate and pressure to boiler and furnace feedlines — adjust using control equipment to keep heating systems within required operating ranges.Operations records, test results, and gauge readings — compile and review shift reports using spreadsheet and word processing software.Pressure variances and process anomalies — analyze available data to identify probable causes and recommend corrective actions to a supervisor.Temperature, vacuum, and transfer settings — adjust systematically to correct minor process deviations during a standard production shift.Co-workers and control room staff — coordinate with to resolve routine unit problems and share process status information effectively.Quality control checks on gas output — conduct using established analytical procedures and document results in plant databases.Work tasks across a shift — prioritize and manage time to complete monitoring, recording, and adjustment duties without missing critical windows.
proficient
Full equipment suite including compressors, scrubbers, and evaporators — operate autonomously across all process stages to ensure continuous, compliant gas output.Abnormal pressure variances and process upsets — diagnose root causes independently and implement corrective measures such as pipe-relief adjustments or flow rerouting.Gas distribution to multiple feedlines — regulate flow and pressure simultaneously using panel boards and industrial control software to meet varied downstream demands.Non-routine equipment malfunctions — troubleshoot systematically, applying mechanical knowledge and deductive reasoning to restore operations with minimal downtime.Operations records and trend data — review across shifts to identify patterns, flag emerging equipment issues, and support continuous process improvement.Emergency and safety incidents — respond decisively using established protocols, exercising sound judgment to protect personnel and plant assets.Complex multi-variable process adjustments — execute across temperature, pressure, level, and flow parameters to maintain quality and safety standards simultaneously.Cross-functional operator teams — lead collaborative problem-solving sessions to address persistent unit problems and implement lasting solutions.Regulatory and compliance documentation — prepare accurate written reports and process data summaries suitable for internal review and external inspection.Enterprise resource planning and analytical software — use proficiently to monitor production metrics, generate operational analyses, and support management decisions.
advanced
Plant-wide monitoring and control strategies — design and implement to optimize safety, efficiency, and gas output quality across all operating units.Abnormal pressure scenarios and systemic process risks — evaluate at an organizational level and lead installation of infrastructure improvements such as pressure-relief systems.Operator competency development programs — create and deliver to build technical skills in emerging and developing staff across the gas plant.Shift performance and operational standards — set and enforce through policy development, procedure review, and direct mentorship of the operator team.Cross-departmental and utility-customer relationships — manage to ensure reliable gas distribution agreements, service quality, and proactive issue resolution.Industrial control and ERP system configurations — oversee and guide updates to ensure control software accurately reflects current process requirements and safety parameters.Major process upsets and multi-unit emergencies — direct response operations, coordinating operator teams and external responders to restore safe conditions rapidly.Operations data trends and quality control analyses — interpret at a strategic level to drive capital investment recommendations and long-term plant reliability plans.Regulatory compliance and public safety obligations — own accountability for, ensuring all plant operations meet applicable codes, permits, and reporting requirements.Organizational safety culture — champion through leadership modeling, incident investigation oversight, and systematic review of cautiousness and dependability across the workforce.
Also known as
85 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-135 (Air Force 1A031C)Gas DispatcherPlant SpecialistIn-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman, KC-10 (Air Force 1A071F)Fuels (Air Force 2F0X1)High and Low Pressure Cryogenic Technician (Navy 741B)Pressure DispatcherMobility Force Aviator, KC-135 Boom Operator (Air Force 1A1X2H)Heat Plant SpecialistWheeled Vehicle Repairer (Army 91B)Gas ProducerFuels Helper (Air Force 2F011)In-Flight Refueling Specialist Superintendent (Air Force 1A091)Liquefaction-Plant OperatorField Technician (Field Tech)In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-46 (Air Force 1A031B)Gas Processing Plant OperatorOperatorFuels Manager (Air Force 2F000)Fuels Craftsman (Air Force 2F071)Oxygen-Plant OperatorGas Technician (Gas Tech)Fuel AttendantBulk Gas SpecialistIn-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-10 (Air Force 1A031F)Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator)Liquefied Natural Gas Operator (LNG Operator)Gas Resource Control OperatorWater Gas OperatorLoad DispatcherLiquefied Natural Gas Technician (LNG Technician)In-Flight Refueling Specialist (Air Force 1A0X1)Landfill Gas Technician (Landfill Gas Tech)Gas Plant SpecialistGas Plant OperatorGas TreaterTank Terminal GaugerField GaugerIn-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice (Air Force 1A031)Regasification Plant Operator