# Gas Plant Operators

> Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-8092.00
- **Summary:** Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.

## Aliases

- Gas Controller
- Gas Dispatcher
- Gas Plant Operator
- Plant Operator
- Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech)
- Engine Room Operator
- Gas Resource Control Operator
- Gas System Operator
- Liquefied Natural Gas Technician (LNG Technician)
- Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator)
- Bulk Gas Specialist
- Field Gauger

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.b |
| Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems. | Core | 4.A.4.b.1.a |
| Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Start and shut down plant equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.g |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Inspect production equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Operate natural gas distribution equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Operate natural gas generation equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Repair production equipment or tools. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Maintain production or processing equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Confer with others to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions. | 4.A.4.b.1.a |
| Diagnose equipment malfunctions. | 4.A.2.b.1.b |
| Advise others on ways to improve processes or products. | 4.A.4.b.6.e |
| Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products. | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs. | 4.A.4.a.2.g |
| Analyze test results. | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Signal others to coordinate work activities. | 4.A.4.b.1.b |
| Direct operational or production activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 4.12 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.94 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.88 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.62 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.59 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Auditory Attention | ability | 3.5 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.4 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.38 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.25 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.25 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.25 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.17 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 3.14 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.13 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.12 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.12 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.04 |
| Administrative | knowledge | 3.01 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Visualization | ability | 3 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Industrial Control Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Google Android | Operating system software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| AspenTech HYSYS | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Operating log software | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Quorum PGAS | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Work scheduling software | Calendar and scheduling software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.86 |
| E-Mail | 4.6 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.52 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.49 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.44 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.41 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.39 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.29 |
| Consequence of Error | 4.27 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.27 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.26 |
| Contact With Others | 4.2 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.2 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.1 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.08 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 4.06 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.01 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.86 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.79 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.72 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.71 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 3.66 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.66 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.6 |
| Time Pressure | 3.6 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.44 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 3.3 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.28 |
| Degree of Automation | 3.24 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.17 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 3.13 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.01 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.92 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 2.88 |
| In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment | 2.82 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 2.81 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.77 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.75 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.71 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.7 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 58.44 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 31.05 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 10.51 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.65 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 5.19 |
| Dependability | work_style | 5 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 4.69 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 4 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 3.64 |
| Integrity | work_style | 3 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.74 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.58 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 2.28 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2.28 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 2.26 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 2.12 |
| Self-Control | work_style | 2.02 |
| Stress Tolerance | work_style | 1.96 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 1.92 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-8013.00 | role-51-8013-00 | Power Plant Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-8093.00 | role-51-8093-00 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | Primary-Short |
| 53-7071.00 | role-53-7071-00 | Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-8013.03 | role-51-8013-03 | Biomass Plant Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 51-8021.00 | role-51-8021-00 | Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-8091.00 | role-51-8091-00 | Chemical Plant and System Operators | Primary-Long |
| 51-8013.04 | role-51-8013-04 | Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 53-7073.00 | role-53-7073-00 | Wellhead Pumpers | Primary-Long |
| 53-7072.00 | role-53-7072-00 | Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | Primary-Long |
| 51-8012.00 | role-51-8012-00 | Power Distributors and Dispatchers | Primary-Long |
| 51-8031.00 | role-51-8031-00 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | Supplemental |
| 49-9099.01 | role-49-9099-01 | Geothermal Technicians | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Energy & Natural Resources | energy-natural-resources |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | engineering-engineering-related-technologies-technicians |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 83400
- **Mean Wage:** 85470
- **Pct10Wage:** 59040
- **Pct25Wage:** 73150
- **Pct75Wage:** 100000
- **Pct90Wage:** 109350
- **Employment:** 15910
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 6680 | 84980 | 111.72 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 4930 | 82680 | 6.46 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 1400 | 82110 | 23.66 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 1040 | 105030 | 0.79 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 400 | 89410 | 1.38 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 280 | 95640 | 38.06 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 180 | 60420 | 0.19 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 120 | 54670 | 0.19 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 6680 | 111.72 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 280 | 38.06 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 1400 | 23.66 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 4930 | 6.46 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 400 | 1.38 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 1040 | 0.79 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 120 | 0.19 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 180 | 0.19 |
- **Count:** 8

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.78 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.2982082 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.1276515 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.5741886 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 29
- **Percentile:** 28
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 40 | felten_aioe |
| 17 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 31 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.2982082 | 40 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.125 | 17 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.10194774055956404 | 31 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.78
- **Percentile:** 63
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.0625
- **Beta:** 0.09375
- **Gamma:** 0.125

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks. | 0.0038001881606678474 | 4.04 |
| Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows. | 0.0016433246100185286 | 4.42 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -8.8
- **Growth Percentile:** 7
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 1.3
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 20
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 16.2
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 14.8

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 19
- **Skills:** 37
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 12
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 06023cbb52507894