Gas Plant Operator salary in New Mexico
Gas Plant Operators in New Mexico earn a median of $97,660 a year ($46.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,670 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $87,820. New Mexico ranks 17th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.35 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,050, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,440 | $34.83 |
| 25th percentile | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Median | $97,660 | $46.95 |
| 75th percentile | $100,010 | $48.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,670 | $52.25 |
| Average (mean) | $91,050 | $43.77 |
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 | $8,138.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,069.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,756.15 |
| Weekly | $1,878.08 |
| Hourly | $46.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $74,340 | $35.74 |
| Power Plant Operator | $105,510 | $50.73 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $72,610 | $34.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Baker | $34,850 | $16.76 |
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 Mexico?
The median salary for gas plant operators in New Mexico is $97,660 a year, or $46.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in New Mexico earn at least $108,670 a year. The top 25% earn $100,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,440 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $82,010 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in New Mexico?
About 300 gas plant operators are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.