Gas Plant Operator salary in Columbia, SC
Gas Plant Operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $81,960 a year ($39.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,290 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $87,820. Pay here is 21% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $67,580. There are 0.10 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,820, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| 25th percentile | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| Median | $81,960 | $39.41 |
| 75th percentile | $82,830 | $39.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,290 | $40.52 |
| Average (mean) | $68,820 | $33.09 |
Half of gas plant operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,415 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,152.31 |
| Weekly | $1,576.15 |
| Hourly | $39.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Gas Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $89,140 | 120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $79,170 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $57,080 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for gas plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $130,220 |
| New Jersey | $110,900 |
| Oregon | $109,760 |
| Connecticut | $109,060 |
| Louisiana | $108,350 |
| Arizona | $104,600 |
| Massachusetts | $103,830 |
| Maryland | $102,950 |
| South Dakota | $101,450 |
| Arkansas | $100,870 |
See Gas Plant Operator pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Power Plant Operator | $79,600 | $38.27 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,010 | $48.56 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $70,620 | $33.95 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,930 | $31.22 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,230 | $20.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,010 | $24.53 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gas plant operator make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for gas plant operators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $81,960 a year, or $39.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $84,290 a year. The top 25% earn $82,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,060 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $50,690 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Columbia, SC?
About 40 gas plant operators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.