Gas Plant Operator salary in Wisconsin
Gas Plant Operators in Wisconsin earn a median of $85,080 a year ($40.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,270 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $87,820. Wisconsin ranks 25th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.05 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $85,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| 25th percentile | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| Median | $85,080 | $40.91 |
| 75th percentile | $96,680 | $46.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,270 | $51.09 |
| Average (mean) | $85,100 | $40.92 |
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 | $7,090 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,545 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,272.31 |
| Weekly | $1,636.15 |
| Hourly | $40.91 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $100,500 | 290 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,550 | $30.56 |
| Power Plant Operator | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $83,140 | $39.97 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $71,450 | $34.35 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Food Batchmaker | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,410 | $28.08 |
| Machinist | $59,110 | $28.42 |
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Wisconsin is $85,080 a year, or $40.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Wisconsin earn at least $106,270 a year. The top 25% earn $96,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,880 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $68,060 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Wisconsin?
About 150 gas plant operators are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.