Operate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
SOC: 53-7071 O*NET: 53-7071.00
Median Salary
$71,510
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.
What does a Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$43,950
10th percentile
Early Career
$57,520
25th percentile
Median
$71,510
50th percentile
Experienced
$88,090
75th percentile
Top Earners
$98,350
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$43,950
25th
$57,520
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$71,510
Mean: $71,750
75th
$88,090
90th
$98,350
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $54,400 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $57,520 and $88,090
- •Salary spread is 42.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 5,110 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,400
Top Industries
Pipeline Transportation38.6%
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas35.6%
Wholesale Trade15.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.3%
Annual Openings:600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,400
Current
2034 (Projected)5,300
-1.3%
-100
Employment Change
-1.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 24 locations
Texas
1,880 jobs$77,3704.10x
Pennsylvania
430 jobs$64,0802.17x
Ohio
210 jobs$91,7401.14x
Arkansas
210 jobs$64,1104.88x
Oklahoma
120 jobs$52,0002.18x
Florida
120 jobs$37,2600.38x
Indiana
100 jobs$98,3600.98x
Michigan
90 jobs$107,5500.64x
Kansas
90 jobs$105,7901.89x
Alaska
80 jobs$104,5507.65x
West Virginia
80 jobs$78,7803.33x
New Mexico
70 jobs$84,9602.31x
New York
60 jobs$59,5900.20x
Kentucky
60 jobs$48,9800.84x
Nebraska
50 jobs$64,2301.49x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Equipment Maintenance
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Troubleshooting
54%
#9
Speaking
46%
#10
Quality Control Analysis
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Troubleshooting
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders90%
5 shared skills
Roof Bolters, Mining82%
5 shared skills
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators82%
5 shared skills
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation80%
5 shared skills
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Active Listening
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Operations & Execution (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Training & Development (1)
1
Monitor meters and pressure gauges to determine consumption rate variations, temperatures, and pressures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Read gas meters, and maintain records of the amounts of gas received and dispensed from holders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Operate power-driven pumps that transfer liquids, semi-liquids, gases, or powdered materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Record instrument readings and operational changes in operating logs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Move controls and turn valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Turn knobs or switches to regulate pressures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Respond to problems by adjusting control room equipment or instructing other personnel to adjust equipment at problem locations or in other control areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Take samples of gases and conduct chemical tests to determine gas quality and sulfur or moisture content, or send samples to laboratories for analysis.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Clean, lubricate, and adjust equipment, and replace filters and gaskets, using hand tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.62
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.61
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.59
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.50
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.31
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.26
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Integrity
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.5
Persistence
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Independence
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Initiative
4.2
Concern for Others
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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