Gas Plant Operator salary in Columbus, OH
Gas Plant Operators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $81,700 a year ($39.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,020 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $87,820. Pay here is 1% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $82,130. There are 0.07 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $81,150, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| 25th percentile | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| Median | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| 75th percentile | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,020 | $50.49 |
| Average (mean) | $81,150 | $39.01 |
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 | $6,808.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,404.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,142.31 |
| Weekly | $1,571.15 |
| Hourly | $39.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $86,290 | 40 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $82,720 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $77,770 | 30 |
| Toledo, OH | $57,530 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Power Plant Operator | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $79,680 | $38.31 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $68,690 | $33.03 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,540 | $22.37 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,260 | $24.64 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,150 | $24.11 |
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for gas plant operators in the Columbus, OH metro area is $81,700 a year, or $39.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $105,020 a year. The top 25% earn $100,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,560 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $59,450 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Columbus, OH?
About 70 gas plant operators are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.