Gas Plant Operator salary in Virginia
Gas Plant Operators in Virginia earn a median of $86,500 a year ($41.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,430 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $87,820. Virginia ranks 23rd of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.10 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| 25th percentile | $80,860 | $38.88 |
| Median | $86,500 | $41.59 |
| 75th percentile | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,430 | $48.29 |
| Average (mean) | $87,150 | $41.90 |
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 | $7,208.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,604.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,326.92 |
| Weekly | $1,663.46 |
| Hourly | $41.59 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,880 | 180 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $63,000 | $30.29 |
| Power Plant Operator | $73,640 | $35.41 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,150 | $35.65 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,180 | $28.45 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Baker | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Machinist | $61,290 | $29.47 |
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 Virginia?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Virginia is $86,500 a year, or $41.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Virginia earn at least $100,430 a year. The top 25% earn $99,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,520 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $80,860 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Virginia?
About 400 gas plant operators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.