What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators in the U.S. earn more than $77,320 a year — the middle 80% land between $46,180 and $99,510. About 3,510 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$77,320typical pay / year
3,510people in this work
$99,510+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Fixing1
Start and stop compressors
+Start the field compressor at Unit 4 for the afternoon injection run, verify oil pressure and safety…
Start and stop compressors
+Start the field compressor at Unit 4 for the afternoon injection run, verify oil pressure and safety interlocks, log start time and ambient pressure, and shut down immediately if vibration or high temp alarms occur.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCComputerized maintenance management system CMMSESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Keeping the record2
Read gauges and meters
+Walk the meter run at Compressor Station 7, read each pressure gauge, flow meter and valve indicator, note…
Read gauges and meters
+Walk the meter run at Compressor Station 7, read each pressure gauge, flow meter and valve indicator, note the readings and timestamp on the site log, photograph any needle off-scale, and flag anomalies to operations lead Mark Jensen before I leave at 16:00.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Record operational data
+After the morning shift change, compile the hourly pressures, flows and compressor runtimes from the site log…
Record operational data
+After the morning shift change, compile the hourly pressures, flows and compressor runtimes from the site log into the operations spreadsheet, calculate totals and averages for the 08:00–20:00 block, save the file as Station7_DailyOps and send the summary to Ops Supervisor Rachel Cole.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Analysing3
Inspect equipment regularly
+Do the scheduled equipment walk at Station 7: inspect compressor mounts, leak detectors, relief valves and…
Inspect equipment regularly
+Do the scheduled equipment walk at Station 7: inspect compressor mounts, leak detectors, relief valves and suction filters, record condition and part numbers on the maintenance sheet, take photos of wear, and open a work order for anything needing repair with Maintenance Planner Tony Ruiz.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Perform chemical tests on gases
+Collect gas samples from inlet and outlet at Compressor 7, run the standard sulphur and moisture assays on…
Perform chemical tests on gases
+Collect gas samples from inlet and outlet at Compressor 7, run the standard sulphur and moisture assays on the bench analyzer, record concentrations and instrument IDs on the test report, and notify Quality Lead Ana Perez immediately if results exceed spec.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSProgrammable logic controller PLCESCOO*NET
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Adjust pressure and flow settings
+Tune the station flow by adjusting the suction and discharge valves to meet the new setpoint: bring inlet…
Adjust pressure and flow settings
+Tune the station flow by adjusting the suction and discharge valves to meet the new setpoint: bring inlet pressure from 48 psi to 52 psi over thirty minutes, monitor compressor response and downstream flow, record each adjustment in the log, and stop and call Duty Manager Sam if vibration or temperatures rise suddenly.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work14
Ensure safety protocols are followed
+Walk the station, verify every permit, safety tag and PPE is in place, confirm gas meter and chemical…
Ensure safety protocols are followed
+Walk the station, verify every permit, safety tag and PPE is in place, confirm gas meter and chemical readings are within safe limits, log deviations, stop work and notify control room and the shift supervisor if any protocol is breached before continuing.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.
+Adjust the suction and discharge valves, trim compressor throttle and staging settings until pressure, flow…
Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.
+Adjust the suction and discharge valves, trim compressor throttle and staging settings until pressure, flow and engine RPM match the target curve on the station sheet, record each change and final readings, and report any instability to the lead operator immediately.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCO*NET
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Maintain each station by performing general housekeeping duties such as painting, washing, and cleaning.
+Complete a station housekeeping pass: wash skid surfaces, repaint chipped safety markings, clear drains and…
Maintain each station by performing general housekeeping duties such as painting, washing, and cleaning.
+Complete a station housekeeping pass: wash skid surfaces, repaint chipped safety markings, clear drains and sweep accessways, remove trash and hazmat waste to the designated bin, then log the completed tasks on the daily maintenance list.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSO*NET
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Connect pipelines between pumps and containers that are being filled or emptied.
+When equipment malfunctions, secure the area, note meter and compressor readings, take photos of the fault,…
Connect pipelines between pumps and containers that are being filled or emptied.
+When equipment malfunctions, secure the area, note meter and compressor readings, take photos of the fault, enter a fault report with time, symptoms and immediate actions, and notify the maintenance supervisor and on-call technician for priority response.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSO*NET
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Report equipment malfunctions
+Connect the correct hoses and flanges between pump and container, verify isolation valves and vents are set…
Report equipment malfunctions
+Connect the correct hoses and flanges between pump and container, verify isolation valves and vents are set for transfer, monitor flow and pressure on the meter during filling, and secure fittings then close out the transfer log when levels reach the target.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCjob descriptions
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Manage staging processes to optimize compression efficiency
+Review compressor stage pressures and cylinder temps, reconfigure intercooler bypass and staging valves to…
Manage staging processes to optimize compression efficiency
+Review compressor stage pressures and cylinder temps, reconfigure intercooler bypass and staging valves to balance load, record the before-and-after meter and engine data, and brief the shift supervisor on efficiency gains and any risks.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCComputerized maintenance management system CMMSWikipedia
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Ensure proper cooling and inter-cooling between stages
+Check stage temperatures and interstage cooler pressure drops, open or throttle the cooler bypasses and…
Ensure proper cooling and inter-cooling between stages
+Check stage temperatures and interstage cooler pressure drops, open or throttle the cooler bypasses and adjust water flow until return gas temperature is within manufacturer limits, then log readings and notify operations if cooling remains unstable by the end of shift.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCWikipedia
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Process gases for compression, transmission or recovery using compressors
+Bring the suction and discharge pressures to target for the run, set compressor speed and inlet guide vanes…
Process gases for compression, transmission or recovery using compressors
+Bring the suction and discharge pressures to target for the run, set compressor speed and inlet guide vanes to meet transmission pressure, monitor gas composition and tightness while recording fuel and power use, and flag any surge or oil pressure excursion before the next handover.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCESCO
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Use chemical analysis equipment
+Collect a hydrocarbon and H2S sample from the sample point, run the gas analyser sequence, verify results…
Use chemical analysis equipment
+Collect a hydrocarbon and H2S sample from the sample point, run the gas analyser sequence, verify results against the acceptance limits on the lab sheet, note any contamination, and file the signed analysis in the equipment log and handover pack.
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Monitor valves
+Walk the valve route, verify each valve tag and position against the valve schedule, exercise any sticking…
Monitor valves
+Walk the valve route, verify each valve tag and position against the valve schedule, exercise any sticking valves until they move freely, record any defects with photos and severity, and raise a work request for repairs if a valve fails to hold pressure.
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Record production data
+At shift end, compile hourly meter readings, compressor runtimes, fuel and condensate volumes into the daily…
Record production data
+At shift end, compile hourly meter readings, compressor runtimes, fuel and condensate volumes into the daily production sheet, reconcile totals with the previous shift and circulate the signed sheet to control room and commercial by 07:30.
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Tend compressor engine
+Perform the pre-start engine checks, change any low oil or coolant levels, set governor throttle as per the…
Tend compressor engine
+Perform the pre-start engine checks, change any low oil or coolant levels, set governor throttle as per the checklist, run the engine up to operating temperature while watching oil pressure and vibration, and log faults and corrective action before returning to service.
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Read gas meter
+Walk the meter house, read the high-pressure rotary meter serial 47A, record inlet and outlet cubic metres…
Read gas meter
+Walk the meter house, read the high-pressure rotary meter serial 47A, record inlet and outlet cubic metres and pressure, note temperature and any abnormal vibration, then enter those readings into the daily log and flag discrepancies over 3% to control room by 11:00.
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Maintain equipment
+Inspect the compressor skid and associated valves, perform lubrication and filter checks, record engine hours…
Maintain equipment
+Inspect the compressor skid and associated valves, perform lubrication and filter checks, record engine hours and any torque or leak observations, complete the maintenance work order and schedule any follow-up repairs if parts are required before shift end.
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Says who?
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses