Gas Plant Operator salary in North Carolina
Gas Plant Operators in North Carolina earn a median of $81,460 a year ($39.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,860 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $87,820. North Carolina ranks 32nd of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.06 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $85,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| 25th percentile | $71,200 | $34.23 |
| Median | $81,460 | $39.16 |
| 75th percentile | $103,580 | $49.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,860 | $54.74 |
| Average (mean) | $85,560 | $41.14 |
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 | $6,788.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,394.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,133.08 |
| Weekly | $1,566.54 |
| Hourly | $39.16 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $89,140 | 120 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $51,680 | $24.85 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Power Plant Operator | $108,300 | $52.07 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $90,420 | $43.47 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,640 | $33.48 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,590 | $24.32 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $39,170 | $18.83 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for gas plant operators in North Carolina is $81,460 a year, or $39.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in North Carolina earn at least $113,860 a year. The top 25% earn $103,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,120 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $71,200 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in North Carolina?
About 320 gas plant operators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.