Gas Plant Operator Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Gas Plant Operators in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$63,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.32
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $87,820
State Rank
#43 of 43
200 employed here

How much does a Gas Plant Operator make in Kentucky?

Gas Plant Operators in Kentucky take home a median of $63,070 annually — roughly $30.32 an hour — which runs 28% below the national median of $87,820.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $39,590 while the top 10% make $96,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,360 and $81,640 a year.

Gas Plant Operator salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,590$19.03
25th percentile (early career)$50,360$24.21
50th percentile (median)$63,070$30.32
75th percentile (experienced)$81,640$39.25
90th percentile (top earners)$96,940$46.61

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 43rd out of 43 states and territories for Gas Plant Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$130,220
2New Jersey$110,900
3Oregon$109,760
4Connecticut$109,060
5Louisiana$108,350

Working as a Gas Plant Operator in Kentucky

Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Gas Plant Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($63,070) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Gas Plant Operator make in Kentucky?
The median Gas Plant Operator salary in Kentucky is $63,070 per year, or about $30.32 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,590 at the entry level to $96,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Gas Plant Operators about 28% less than the national median of $87,820. Kentucky ranks 43rd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Gas Plant Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,070 a year. About 200 Gas Plant Operators are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Gas Plant Operator salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.