Gas Plant Operator salary in Colorado
Gas Plant Operators in Colorado earn a median of $98,080 a year ($47.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,550 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $87,820. Colorado ranks 15th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.20 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,470, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| 25th percentile | $85,070 | $40.90 |
| Median | $98,080 | $47.15 |
| 75th percentile | $100,200 | $48.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,550 | $53.15 |
| Average (mean) | $93,470 | $44.94 |
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 | $8,173.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,086.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,772.31 |
| Weekly | $1,886.15 |
| Hourly | $47.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Gas Plant Operator salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $98,640 | 360 |
| Greeley, CO | $80,950 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $74,200 | $35.68 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,780 | $49.42 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,350 | $28.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Baker | $40,650 | $19.55 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Food Batchmaker | $44,900 | $21.59 |
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 Colorado?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Colorado is $98,080 a year, or $47.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Colorado?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Colorado earn at least $110,550 a year. The top 25% earn $100,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,590 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $85,070 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Colorado?
About 570 gas plant operators are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.