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Occupation · SOC 51-8092

Gas Plant Operators

There are 18,030 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $87,820 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
18,030
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$87,820
Median pay a year
Middle half: $76,870–$100,870
1,400
Annual openings
10-year change: −6%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 51 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $85,530 · LCA filings 01,510$85,5300
Pittsburgh, PAMedian pay $81,600 · LCA filings 0440$81,6000
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $98,640 · LCA filings 0360$98,6400
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $102,810 · LCA filings 0340$102,8100
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $108,650 · LCA filings 0290$108,6500
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $100,500 · LCA filings 0290$100,5000
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $118,870 · LCA filings 0270$118,8700
Tulsa, OKMedian pay $78,550 · LCA filings 0270$78,5500
Oklahoma City, OKMedian pay $78,310 · LCA filings 0230$78,3100
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $104,770 · LCA filings 0210$104,7700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 210 · LCA filings 0$125,5502100
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$124,480900
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 270 · LCA filings 0$118,8702700
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$118,640500
Baton Rouge, LAEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$113,5701000

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $78,728 · Level III $84,989 · Level IV $91,229$72,488$78,728$84,989$91,229
Pittsburgh, PALevel II $78,978 · Level III $86,694 · Level IV $94,411$71,261$78,978$86,694$94,411
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $94,099 · Level III $99,882 · Level IV $105,664$88,317$94,099$99,882$105,664
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $85,738 · Level III $96,408 · Level IV $107,078$75,067$85,738$96,408$107,078
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $96,533 · Level III $103,896 · Level IV $111,238$89,190$96,533$103,896$111,238
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $87,672 · Level III $94,266 · Level IV $100,838$81,099$87,672$94,266$100,838
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $105,373 · Level III $115,211 · Level IV $125,050$95,534$105,373$115,211$125,050
Tulsa, OKLevel II $67,413 · Level III $75,462 · Level IV $83,491$59,384$67,413$75,462$83,491
Oklahoma City, OKLevel II $71,136 · Level III $80,538 · Level IV $89,918$61,755$71,136$80,538$89,918
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $92,851 · Level III $101,733 · Level IV $110,635$83,949$92,851$101,733$110,635

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.09STEM OPT · up to 36 months4STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Physical Science Technologies/TechniciansCIP 41.03STEM OPT · up to 36 months53STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Gas Plant Operators in every metro area

All 51 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology