Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Career, Salary and Skills
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $77,320 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 3,510. Wage data is published for 25 locations.
Occupation description
Operate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.
O*NET code
53-7071.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$77,320
Hourly median
$37.17
Employment
3,510
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Operation and Control | 3.88 | 3.75 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.62 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Active Listening | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Programmable logic controller PLC software
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in TXMedian $82,120 · Employment 1,350
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in PAMedian $60,170 · Employment 300
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in WVMedian $65,050 · Employment 200
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in OKMedian $82,150 · Employment 140
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in WAMedian $57,500 · Employment 120
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in OHMedian $85,930 · Employment 120
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in MTMedian $83,750 · Employment 100
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $79,720 · Employment 100
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in LAMedian $79,970 · Employment 60
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in AKMedian $106,440 · Employment 60
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in ALMedian $43,440 · Employment 60
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators Salary in Pittsburgh, PAMedian $61,190 · Employment 60
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.