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.
Also called: Compressor Operator · Compressor Station Operator · Compressor Technician · Fill Plant Operator · Filler · Liquefied Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator)
Median pay (national)
$71,510
$43,950–$98,350 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
5,110
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-1.3%
~600 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $98,350 versus $43,950 at the bottom 10% — 2.2x. The median of $71,510 leaves roughly 38% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -1.3% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 25 states with released data, Michigan pays the most for this role (median $107,550, +50% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $21,540 — a 399% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Monitor meters and pressure gauges to determine consumption rate variations, temperatures, and pressures.
- 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.
- Turn knobs or switches to regulate 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.
- Read gas meters, and maintain records of the amounts of gas received and dispensed from holders.
Tools & technology
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Programmable logic controller PLC software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Mathematics