Gas Plant Operator salary in Wheeling, WV-OH
Gas Plant Operators in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn a median of $82,720 a year ($39.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,460 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $87,820. Pay here is about the same as the West Virginia statewide median of $82,600. There are 1.3 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 11.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,950 | $34.11 |
| 25th percentile | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Median | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| 75th percentile | $99,880 | $48.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,460 | $48.30 |
| Average (mean) | $85,340 | $41.03 |
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 | $6,893.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,446.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,181.54 |
| Weekly | $1,590.77 |
| Hourly | $39.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Gas Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,880 | 180 |
| Cleveland, OH | $86,290 | 40 |
| Charleston, WV | $85,790 | 100 |
| Columbus, OH | $81,700 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $77,770 | 30 |
| Toledo, OH | $57,530 | 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 |
See Gas Plant Operator pay in every state or the West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $81,090 | $38.99 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,350 | $21.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $30,050 | $14.45 |
| Baker | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Machinist | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $63,040 | $30.31 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Wheeling, WV-OH
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 Wheeling, WV-OH?
The median salary for gas plant operators in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area is $82,720 a year, or $39.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Wheeling, WV-OH?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn at least $100,460 a year. The top 25% earn $99,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Wheeling, WV-OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,950 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $74,470 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Wheeling, WV-OH?
About 80 gas plant operators are employed in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.