Gas Plant Operator salary in New Jersey
Gas Plant Operators in New Jersey earn a median of $110,900 a year ($53.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,230 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $87,820. New Jersey ranks 2nd of 43 states for gas plant operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $111,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,020 | $41.84 |
| 25th percentile | $104,410 | $50.20 |
| Median | $110,900 | $53.32 |
| 75th percentile | $123,750 | $59.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,230 | $61.65 |
| Average (mean) | $111,490 | $53.60 |
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 | $9,241.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,620.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,265.38 |
| Weekly | $2,132.69 |
| Hourly | $53.32 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $118,870 | 270 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,430 | 190 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $104,540 | $50.26 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $86,820 | $41.74 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $128,220 | $61.65 |
| Power Plant Operator | $131,370 | $63.16 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $69,970 | $33.64 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,280 | $19.37 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $56,500 | $27.17 |
| Baker | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,800 | $22.02 |
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for gas plant operators in New Jersey is $110,900 a year, or $53.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in New Jersey earn at least $128,230 a year. The top 25% earn $123,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,020 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $104,410 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in New Jersey?
About 190 gas plant operators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.