Gas Plant Operators Salary in San Diego, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Gas Plant Operators in San Diego, CA have a median annual salary of $98,900, with 120 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $92,790 at the 10th percentile to $132,830 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$98,900

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$47.55

Employment

120

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$92,790
10th
$98,690
25th
$98,900
Median
$99,280
75th
$132,830
90th

Local compared with national

San Diego, CA

$98,900

Median annual · 2025

United States

$87,820

Median annual · 2025

The San Diego, CA median is 12.6% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $11,080).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 4.1
  2. 2.Operation and ControlImportance 3.8
  3. 3.MonitoringImportance 3.6
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.5
  5. 5.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  9. 9.WritingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • AspenTech HYSYS
  • Google Android
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Operating log software
  • Quorum PGAS
  • SAP software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Work scheduling software

Common 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 operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
  • Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.
  • 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.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Gas Plant Operators salary in other locations

Other occupations in San Diego, CA