Energy & Utilities career

Gas Compressor Operator

Also called: Compressor Station Operator · Gas Pumping Station Operator · Compressor Technician · Pipeline Operator

What gas compressor operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a gas compressor operator do?

Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators operate steam, gas, electric motor or internal combustion engine driven compressors to transmit, compress or recover gases. The median pay is $77,320 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +2.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $77,320
    $37.17/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +2.1%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    300
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Months on the job
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    3,500
    Employment, 2025

What gas compressor operators do

Gas compressor operators keep gas flowing. They run and monitor compressor stations on pipelines and at plants, check pressures and temperatures, do rounds, perform basic maintenance and respond to alarms.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.

Typical duties

  • Run compressors
  • Monitor pressures
  • Do rounds
  • Respond to alarms
  • Perform maintenance
  • Record data
  • Follow pipeline rules

Work environment and schedule

Operators work at compressor stations, often in rural areas.

Schedule: Rotating shifts and on-call duty.

A day in the life

  1. Shift handoff.
  2. Station rounds.
  3. Check oil levels.
  4. Adjust compressor load.

See a full day in the life of a gas compressor operator →

Gas Compressor Operator salary

Half of gas compressor operators earned more than $77,320 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $46,180 for the lowest 10% to $99,510 for the top 10%.

Full gas compressor operator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a gas compressor operator

  1. Finish high school
  2. Get hired at a pipeline company
  3. Complete operator qualification
  4. Learn the station
  5. Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a gas compressor operator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Compressor operation
  • Engine maintenance
  • SCADA
  • Gas safety
  • Pressure monitoring

People skills

  • Reliability
  • Safety focus
  • Independence
  • Problem-solving

All gas compressor operator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Good pay
  • Steady energy demand
  • Independent work
  • No degree needed

Cons

  • Remote locations
  • Noise
  • On-call duty
  • Gas hazards

Certifications and licenses

  • Operator qualification: DOT pipeline requirement.
  • H2S training: If sour gas.
  • Engine training: Manufacturer.
  • OSHA 10: Safety.

Career path

  1. Operator Trainee: Entry.
  2. Compressor Operator: Operate.
  3. Station Technician: Maintain.
  4. Station Supervisor: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Gas Compressor Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as do compressor station rounds and respond to a station alarm, safety and how to land your first job.

View Gas Compressor Operator trainingIs this career right for me?

Gas Plant Operator

Run plants and compressor stations that process and move natural gas.

  • $87,820
  • 1–2+ years on the job

Pump Operator

Run pumps that move water, oil and other liquids.

  • $61,770
  • Months on the job

Control Valve Technician

Install, test and repair the valves that control flow in plants and pipelines.

  • $74,340
  • Months to years of training

Roustabout

Build, maintain and repair oil and gas sites and equipment.

  • $46,960
  • 1–3 months

Compare: Gas Compressor Operator vs. Gas Plant Operator · Gas Compressor Operator vs. Pump Operator · Gas Compressor Operator vs. Control Valve Technician · Gas Compressor Operator vs. Roustabout

Gas Compressor Operator FAQ

Do I need a degree?

No.

What is operator qualification?

A federal training requirement for pipeline tasks.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects about average growth.

How much does a gas compressor operator make?

The median annual wage for gas compressor operators was $77,320 ($37.17 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $46,180 and the highest 10% earned more than $99,510.

How long does it take to become a gas compressor operator?

Most people need about Months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a gas compressor operator?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More gas compressor operator questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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