Operate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.
National median · BLS
$77,320
▲ +8.12%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$74,610
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
3,510
Jobs (BLS)
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Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.
Pay range for Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$46,180
25th
$58,580
Median (50th)
$77,320
75th
$91,020
90th — top pay
$99,510
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Weekly—
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Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
BLS projects employment of gas compressor and gas pumping station operators to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 300 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
3,500 → 3,600
+100 jobs
Projected change
+2.1%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
300
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators salaries by state
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
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Cost-adjusted
Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Operations Monitoring4.0
Operation and Control3.9
Critical Thinking3.6
Active Listening3.1
Equipment Maintenance3.1
Monitoring3.1
Reading Comprehension3.1
Troubleshooting3.1
Complex Problem Solving3.0
Coordination3.0
Top knowledge areas
Production and Processing4.6
Mechanical4.3
Public Safety and Security3.9
Administration and Management3.8
Chemistry3.7
English Language3.6
Education and Training3.5
Mathematics3.4
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordComputerized maintenance management system CMMSProgrammable logic controller PLC software
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What gas compressor and gas pumping station operators do
Monitor meters and pressure gauges to determine consumption rate variations, temperatures, and pressures.
Respond to problems by adjusting control room equipment or instructing other personnel to adjust equipment at problem locations or in other control areas.
Record instrument readings and operational changes in operating logs.
Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.
Move controls and turn valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
Operate power-driven pumps that transfer liquids, semi-liquids, gases, or powdered materials.
Submit daily reports on facility operations.
Take samples of gases and conduct chemical tests to determine gas quality and sulfur or moisture content, or send samples to laboratories for analysis.
Also called
Compressor Station OperatorCompressor TechnicianFillerPlant OperatorCompressor OperatorFill Plant OperatorLiquefied Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator)Pipeline TechnicianTerminal Operator
More job titles for this occupation (23)
Acetylene Gas CompressorAir Compressor TechnicianButadiene Compressor OperatorButane Compressor OperatorCompressorCompressor EngineerCorrosion TechnicianGas Booster EngineerGas Compressor OperatorGas Cylinder OperatorGas Cylinder ProcessorGas EngineerGas JourneymanGas OperatorGas Storage OperatorGas Transfer OperatorHigh Pressure Compressed Gas FillerLiquid Natural Gas Plant OperatorNatural Gas AnalystPipeline Systems OperatorStation EngineerStation OperatorWireline Field Operator
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $77,320.
