Gas Plant Operator salary in Washington
Gas Plant Operators in Washington earn a median of $83,650 a year ($40.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,810 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $87,820. Washington ranks 26th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.03 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.29). The average (mean) salary is $86,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| 25th percentile | $53,060 | $25.51 |
| Median | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| 75th percentile | $108,610 | $52.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Average (mean) | $86,700 | $41.68 |
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 | $6,970.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,485.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,217.31 |
| Weekly | $1,608.65 |
| Hourly | $40.22 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $118,640 | 50 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $97,080 | 50 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $103,620 | $49.82 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $91,530 | $44.00 |
| Power Plant Operator | $131,620 | $63.28 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $144,710 | $69.57 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $88,730 | $42.66 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| Machinist | $66,160 | $31.81 |
| Baker | $46,140 | $22.18 |
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 Washington?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Washington is $83,650 a year, or $40.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Washington?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Washington earn at least $127,810 a year. The top 25% earn $108,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,610 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $53,060 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Washington?
About 120 gas plant operators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.