Gas Plant Operator salary in Texas
Gas Plant Operators in Texas earn a median of $79,910 a year ($38.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,550 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,840 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $87,820. Texas ranks 36th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.18 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| 25th percentile | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Median | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| 75th percentile | $94,360 | $45.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| Average (mean) | $81,770 | $39.31 |
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 | $6,659.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,329.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,073.46 |
| Weekly | $1,536.73 |
| Hourly | $38.42 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $85,530 | 1,510 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $81,430 | 200 |
| Midland, TX | $79,910 | 90 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $79,770 | 30 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,510 | $49.28 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,890 | $49.46 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,140 | $33.72 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Machinist | $59,180 | $28.45 |
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 Texas?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Texas is $79,910 a year, or $38.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Texas?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Texas earn at least $98,840 a year. The top 25% earn $94,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,990 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $77,640 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Texas?
About 2,550 gas plant operators are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.