Gas Plant Operator salary in South Carolina
Gas Plant Operators in South Carolina earn a median of $67,580 a year ($32.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,960 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $87,820. South Carolina ranks 40th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.12 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,870 | $22.06 |
| 25th percentile | $51,340 | $24.68 |
| Median | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| 75th percentile | $84,270 | $40.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| Average (mean) | $69,080 | $33.21 |
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 | $5,631.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,815.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,599.23 |
| Weekly | $1,299.62 |
| Hourly | $32.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Gas Plant Operator salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $89,140 | 120 |
| Columbia, SC | $81,960 | 40 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $79,170 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $57,080 | 60 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $52,090 | $25.05 |
| Power Plant Operator | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $118,620 | $57.03 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $91,570 | $44.02 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for gas plant operators in South Carolina is $67,580 a year, or $32.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in South Carolina earn at least $89,960 a year. The top 25% earn $84,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,870 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $51,340 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in South Carolina?
About 280 gas plant operators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.