Gas Plant Operator Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$80,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $87,820
State Rank
#34 of 43
1,370 employed here

How much does a Gas Plant Operator make in Pennsylvania?

Gas Plant Operators in Pennsylvania take home a median of $80,810 annually — roughly $38.85 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $87,820.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $62,060 while the top 10% make $102,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,550 and $95,720 a year.

Gas Plant Operator salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,060$29.84
25th percentile (early career)$76,550$36.80
50th percentile (median)$80,810$38.85
75th percentile (experienced)$95,720$46.02
90th percentile (top earners)$102,060$49.07

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 34th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($80,810) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Gas Plant Operator salary in Pennsylvania is $80,810 per year, or about $38.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,060 at the entry level to $102,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Gas Plant Operators about 8% less than the national median of $87,820. Pennsylvania ranks 34th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Gas Plant Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $80,810 a year. About 1,370 Gas Plant Operators are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Gas Plant Operator salary report

Related salaries

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

$78,620
median pay · 28,000 employed

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic

$63,870
median pay · 6,000 employed

Tire Builder

$57,390
median pay · 21,000 employed

Plant and System Operators, All Other

$62,470
median pay · 14,000 employed

Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

$122,890
median pay · 5,000 employed

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

$63,340
median pay · 3,000 employed
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.