Gas Plant Operator salary in Charleston, WV
Gas Plant Operators in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $85,790 a year ($41.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,690 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $87,820. Pay here is 4% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $82,600. There are 0.96 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,660, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,520 | $29.10 |
| 25th percentile | $64,260 | $30.89 |
| Median | $85,790 | $41.25 |
| 75th percentile | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,690 | $57.06 |
| Average (mean) | $84,660 | $40.70 |
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 | $7,149.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,574.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,299.62 |
| Weekly | $1,649.81 |
| Hourly | $41.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Gas Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,880 | 180 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $82,720 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $77,770 | 30 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $29,850 | $14.35 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,090 | $13.99 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Baker | $28,010 | $13.46 |
| Machinist | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $71,470 | $34.36 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,010 | $22.12 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for gas plant operators in the Charleston, WV metro area is $85,790 a year, or $41.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $118,690 a year. The top 25% earn $100,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,520 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $64,260 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Charleston, WV?
About 100 gas plant operators are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.