Gas Plant Operator salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Gas Plant Operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $66,560 a year ($32.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,170 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $87,820. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $66,560. There are 0.18 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| 25th percentile | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Median | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| 75th percentile | $97,490 | $46.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| Average (mean) | $78,750 | $37.86 |
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 | $5,546.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,773.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,560 |
| Weekly | $1,280 |
| Hourly | $32.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $88,460 | 30 |
| Jackson, MS | $80,270 | 60 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $74,230 | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $66,970 | 70 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $54,460 | $26.18 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $96,730 | $46.50 |
| Power Plant Operator | $119,080 | $57.25 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,530 | $18.52 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,990 | $31.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Machinist | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,470 | $24.26 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for gas plant operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $66,560 a year, or $32.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $99,170 a year. The top 25% earn $97,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,420 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $66,560 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 110 gas plant operators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.