Gas Plant Operator salary in Pennsylvania
Gas Plant Operators in Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,810 a year ($38.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,060 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $87,820. Pennsylvania ranks 34th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.23 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| 25th percentile | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| Median | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| 75th percentile | $95,720 | $46.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,060 | $49.07 |
| Average (mean) | $84,020 | $40.39 |
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 | $6,734.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,367.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,108.08 |
| Weekly | $1,554.04 |
| Hourly | $38.85 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| York-Hanover, PA | $94,170 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,430 | 190 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $81,600 | 440 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| Power Plant Operator | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $83,870 | $40.32 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $70,110 | $33.71 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Machinist | $57,810 | $27.79 |
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Pennsylvania is $80,810 a year, or $38.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Pennsylvania earn at least $102,060 a year. The top 25% earn $95,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,060 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $76,550 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Pennsylvania?
About 1,370 gas plant operators are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.