Gas Plant Operator salary in Tennessee
Gas Plant Operators in Tennessee earn a median of $66,560 a year ($32.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,260 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $87,820. Tennessee ranks 42nd 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 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $71,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| 25th percentile | $64,980 | $31.24 |
| Median | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| 75th percentile | $69,670 | $33.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Average (mean) | $71,020 | $34.15 |
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 | $5,546.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,773.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,560 |
| Weekly | $1,280 |
| Hourly | $32.00 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $66,970 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,560 | 110 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Power Plant Operator | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $96,730 | $46.50 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $60,240 | $28.96 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,040 | $23.10 |
| Machinist | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $20.77 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Tennessee is $66,560 a year, or $32.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Tennessee earn at least $95,260 a year. The top 25% earn $69,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,920 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $64,980 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Tennessee?
About 200 gas plant operators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.