Occupation · SOC 53-7071
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Operate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.
Median wage
$71,510
$43,950–$98,350
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
5,110
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingReading ComprehensionMonitoringEquipment MaintenanceActive ListeningWritingTime ManagementSpeakingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessSystems AnalysisInstructingService OrientationPersuasionNegotiationMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesEquipment SelectionSystems EvaluationManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignScienceManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingOperations AnalysisInstallation
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementChemistryEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsPhysicsEngineering and TechnologyCustomer and Personal ServiceDesignAdministrativeBuilding and ConstructionPersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationGeographyLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsPsychologyEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaForeign LanguageBiologyMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingSales and MarketingPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionSociology and AnthropologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Computerized maintenance management system CMMSMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordProgrammable logic controller PLC software
Representative tasks
Documenting/Recording InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming General Physical ActivitiesProcessing InformationWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsTraining and Teaching OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesThinking CreativelyDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCoaching and Developing OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Pressure gauges and flow meters — read and record basic readings under direct supervision at a gas compressor station.Operating logs — document instrument readings and routine operational changes following established templates and supervisor guidance.Control room valves and panel switches — identify and locate under technician direction before performing any adjustments.Compressor startup procedures — follow step-by-step written protocols to move controls and turn valves with supervisor oversight.Power-driven pumps — assist in basic operation for transferring gases or liquids under close on-the-job mentorship.Daily operations reports — compile basic facility data into standardized report forms with review by a lead operator.Gas sampling procedures — collect gas samples from designated points using proper containers following safety instructions.Emergency shutdown equipment — recognize locations and identify purposes of safety shutoffs during orientation walkthroughs.Facilities management software — enter routine operational data into the system with guidance from an experienced operator.Personal protective equipment and station safety rules — apply consistently during all tasks performed on the compressor floor.
developing
Meter and pressure gauge readings — monitor continuously across a shift and identify consumption rate variations without supervisor prompting.Control room equipment adjustments — respond to routine pressure or temperature deviations by making corrections within established operating parameters.Valve and flow-control adjustments — tune to achieve specified performance targets using practiced judgment on familiar equipment configurations.Compressor engines and auxiliary equipment — start and shut down independently following full operating procedures in a live station environment.Operating logs and shift records — maintain accurate and complete documentation of all operational changes using word processing and spreadsheet software.Gas quality tests — conduct basic chemical tests for sulfur and moisture content at the station, or prepare samples correctly for laboratory submission.Daily facility operations reports — compose and submit reports that accurately reflect production data, incidents, and equipment status.Minor equipment maintenance tasks — perform routine inspections and basic upkeep on pumps and compressors according to scheduled maintenance plans.Coordination with field personnel — communicate clearly via radio or email to instruct crew members to adjust equipment at remote problem locations.Troubleshooting common faults — diagnose recurring mechanical or operational issues on pumping equipment using logical elimination and equipment manuals.
proficient
Multi-point monitoring systems — interpret simultaneous meter, gauge, and electronic readout data across a full compressor station to detect non-routine anomalies.Complex operational problems — apply critical thinking and engineering knowledge to diagnose and resolve equipment failures that fall outside standard procedures.Control system adjustments — autonomously reconfigure industrial control software settings to restore optimal performance under varying demand conditions.Gas quality analysis — evaluate chemical test results, interpret laboratory reports, and determine corrective actions based on quality or safety thresholds.Emergency response coordination — direct personnel across multiple control areas to implement shutdown or mitigation procedures during unplanned operational upsets.Equipment repair and overhaul — lead hands-on repair activities on compressors, pumps, and associated mechanical systems to restore full operational capacity.Comprehensive shift and incident reports — author detailed written documentation of complex events, regulatory variances, and corrective actions taken during operations.Operational data trends — analyze historical log and spreadsheet data to identify performance degradation patterns and recommend preventive maintenance actions.Safety and regulatory compliance — apply knowledge of public safety codes and environmental standards to ensure all station operations meet legal requirements.Cross-functional coordination — liaise with engineering, logistics, and management teams to schedule maintenance windows and optimize gas transmission throughput.
advanced
Station operating standards and procedures — develop and revise formal operating protocols for gas compressor and pumping facilities used across the organization.Workforce competency development — design and deliver on-the-job training programs that build operator skills from entry level through proficient performance.Organizational performance metrics — establish key operational indicators for pressure management, uptime, and gas quality and report findings to senior leadership.Capital equipment decisions — evaluate compressor and pump technology options, prepare business cases, and recommend investments to improve facility reliability.Incident investigation leadership — lead root-cause analyses of major operational failures, document findings, and implement systemic corrective actions organization-wide.Regulatory and safety governance — serve as the subject-matter authority on public safety, environmental, and industry regulations governing gas compression operations.Cross-site operational coordination — oversee scheduling and resource allocation across multiple compressor stations to balance system demand and minimize downtime.Emergency response planning — author and exercise facility emergency response plans ensuring compliance with federal and state pipeline safety requirements.Technology integration strategy — champion adoption of advanced industrial control software and monitoring systems that improve operational visibility and efficiency.Continuous improvement culture — lead systematic review of operational logs, incident reports, and quality data to drive sustained improvements in safety and productivity.
Also known as
32 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Acetylene Gas CompressorAir Compressor TechnicianButadiene Compressor OperatorButane Compressor OperatorCompressorCompressor EngineerCompressor OperatorCompressor Station OperatorCompressor TechnicianCorrosion TechnicianFill Plant OperatorFillerGas Booster EngineerGas Compressor OperatorGas Cylinder OperatorGas Cylinder ProcessorGas EngineerGas JourneymanGas OperatorGas Storage OperatorGas Transfer OperatorHigh Pressure Compressed Gas FillerLiquefied Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator)Liquid Natural Gas Plant OperatorNatural Gas AnalystPipeline Systems OperatorPipeline TechnicianPlant OperatorStation EngineerStation OperatorTerminal OperatorWireline Field Operator