Gas Plant Operator salary in North Dakota
Gas Plant Operators in North Dakota earn a median of $96,760 a year ($46.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,410 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $87,820. North Dakota ranks 18th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 1.8 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 15.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| 25th percentile | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Median | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| 75th percentile | $116,290 | $55.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,410 | $62.22 |
| Average (mean) | $99,740 | $47.95 |
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 | $8,063.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,031.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,721.54 |
| Weekly | $1,860.77 |
| Hourly | $46.52 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $93,130 | $44.77 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Power Plant Operator | $122,160 | $58.73 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,760 | $32.10 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,250 | $22.71 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| Baker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| Machinist | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
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 Dakota?
The median salary for gas plant operators in North Dakota is $96,760 a year, or $46.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in North Dakota earn at least $129,410 a year. The top 25% earn $116,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,570 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $76,590 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in North Dakota?
About 770 gas plant operators are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.