Gas Plant Operators
SOC Code: 51-8092 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Gas Plant Operators. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $101,213 | $113,027 | $124,862 | $136,677 |
| Vallejo, CA | $113,110 | $120,723 | $128,315 | $135,928 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $110,178 | $118,685 | $127,192 | $135,699 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $111,925 | $119,621 | $127,296 | $134,992 |
| Modesto, CA | $107,474 | $116,605 | $125,715 | $134,846 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $107,723 | $116,709 | $125,715 | $134,701 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $106,038 | $115,378 | $124,738 | $134,077 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $109,242 | $117,478 | $125,715 | $133,952 |
| Salinas, CA | $110,968 | $118,560 | $126,173 | $133,765 |
| Chico, CA | $93,787 | $106,184 | $118,560 | $130,957 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.1 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 | |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.2 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Public Safety and Security | 3.9 |
| Mechanical | 3.8 |
| English Language | 3.6 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.4 |
| Mathematics | 3.2 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.1 |
| Production and Processing | 3.1 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.0 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 58.4% |
| Some college | 31.1% |
| Associate's degree | 10.5% |
Typical Tasks
- Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.
- Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.
- Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
- Start and shut down plant equipment.
- Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
- Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems.
- Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed.
- Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Google Android Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word SAP software AspenTech HYSYS Operating log software Quorum PGAS Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software Work scheduling software
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