Gas Plant Operator salary in Kentucky
Gas Plant Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $63,070 a year ($30.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,940 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $87,820. Kentucky ranks 43rd of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.10 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,590 | $19.04 |
| 25th percentile | $50,360 | $24.21 |
| Median | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| 75th percentile | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,940 | $46.61 |
| Average (mean) | $67,080 | $32.25 |
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 | $5,255.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,627.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,425.77 |
| Weekly | $1,212.88 |
| Hourly | $30.32 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $78,730 | 60 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Power Plant Operator | $93,400 | $44.90 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,600 | $50.77 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,490 | $34.85 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Machinist | $58,660 | $28.20 |
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Kentucky is $63,070 a year, or $30.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Kentucky earn at least $96,940 a year. The top 25% earn $81,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,590 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $50,360 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Kentucky?
About 200 gas plant operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.