Gas Plant Operator salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Gas Plant Operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $85,350 a year ($41.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,800 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $87,820. Pay here is 13% lower than the New York statewide median of $98,390. There are 0.09 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $85,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,130 | $32.75 |
| 25th percentile | $75,150 | $36.13 |
| Median | $85,350 | $41.04 |
| 75th percentile | $98,390 | $47.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,800 | $48.94 |
| Average (mean) | $85,980 | $41.34 |
Half of gas plant operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,112.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,556.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,282.69 |
| Weekly | $1,641.35 |
| Hourly | $41.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Gas Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $118,870 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for gas plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $130,220 |
| New Jersey | $110,900 |
| Oregon | $109,760 |
| Connecticut | $109,060 |
| Louisiana | $108,350 |
| Arizona | $104,600 |
| Massachusetts | $103,830 |
| Maryland | $102,950 |
| South Dakota | $101,450 |
| Arkansas | $100,870 |
See Gas Plant Operator pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $69,260 | $33.30 |
| Power Plant Operator | $86,280 | $41.48 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $84,390 | $40.57 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,900 | $20.14 |
| Machinist | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,420 | $26.65 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $54,340 | $26.13 |
| Baker | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,400 | $24.23 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gas plant operator make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for gas plant operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $85,350 a year, or $41.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $101,800 a year. The top 25% earn $98,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,130 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $75,150 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 50 gas plant operators are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.