Gas Plant Operator Salary in West Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$82,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $87,820
State Rank
#28 of 43
420 employed here

How much does a Gas Plant Operator make in West Virginia?

Gas Plant Operators in West Virginia take home a median of $82,600 annually — roughly $39.71 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $87,820.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $52,000 while the top 10% make $100,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $70,950 and $90,140 a year.

Gas Plant Operator salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,000$25.00
25th percentile (early career)$70,950$34.11
50th percentile (median)$82,600$39.71
75th percentile (experienced)$90,140$43.34
90th percentile (top earners)$100,460$48.30

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 28th 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 West Virginia

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 West Virginia pay ($82,600) 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 West Virginia?
The median Gas Plant Operator salary in West Virginia is $82,600 per year, or about $39.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,000 at the entry level to $100,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Gas Plant Operators about 6% less than the national median of $87,820. West Virginia ranks 28th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Gas Plant Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $82,600 a year. About 420 Gas Plant Operators are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.