Gas Plant Operator salary in Montana
Gas Plant Operators in Montana earn a median of $83,630 a year ($40.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,260 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $87,820. Montana ranks 27th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.15 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| 25th percentile | $67,590 | $32.50 |
| Median | $83,630 | $40.21 |
| 75th percentile | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,260 | $48.68 |
| Average (mean) | $85,420 | $41.07 |
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 | $6,969.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,484.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,216.54 |
| Weekly | $1,608.27 |
| Hourly | $40.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $98,310 | $47.26 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $81,340 | $39.11 |
| Power Plant Operator | $106,040 | $50.98 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,610 | $26.73 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Baker | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Machinist | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $47,920 | $23.04 |
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 Montana?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Montana is $83,630 a year, or $40.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Montana?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Montana earn at least $101,260 a year. The top 25% earn $100,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,580 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $67,590 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Montana?
About 70 gas plant operators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.