Prevailing Wage for Gas Plant Operators
Prevailing wage for Gas Plant Operators (SOC 51-8092) is set by DOL across four experience levels, from entry through fully competent. Whether your offer letter titles you as a Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech), an Engine Room Operator, or a Gas Controller, the applicable floor depends on your level and the specific worksite city.
See all jobs for Gas Plant OperatorsLook up your work address
Level 1 covers entry-level operators with limited hands-on experience, typically working under direct supervision on routine tasks such as monitoring gauges and adjusting valve settings. No independent judgment is expected; most candidates at this level have fewer than two years in plant operations.
Level 2 applies to qualified operators with solid hands-on experience who can handle standard compressor adjustments and pipeline pressure management with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Gas Plant Operators, as most sponsored roles require demonstrated operational competence.
Level 3 reflects experienced operators who routinely troubleshoot equipment faults, train junior staff, and manage complex process conditions with minimal oversight. Candidates typically bring several years of progressive plant experience and may coordinate across shifts or multiple compressor units.
Level 4 describes fully competent operators at the top of the occupation, often serving in lead, senior, or supervisory capacities. They set operating procedures, mentor teams, and are accountable for system-wide pressure management decisions across major pipeline segments or processing facilities.
Prevailing Wage for Gas Plant Operators by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for Gas Plant Operators
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Gas Plant Operators and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Gas Plant Operators
Confirm your title maps to SOC 51-8092
Titles like Gas System Operator or Gas Dispatcher are common in the field but sometimes get filed under adjacent SOC codes for stationary engineers or utility equipment technicians, which carry different wage floors. Verify your employer's LCA lists SOC 51-8092 before accepting an offer.
Watch the California wage gap closely
Los Angeles and Riverside metros post prevailing wages for this occupation that can be double those in lower-paying southern metros. If your employer's headquarters is outside California but your worksite is in the Los Angeles area, the LCA must use the worksite location wage, not the corporate office rate.
Check how shift differentials count toward the floor
Gas plant schedules often include overnight and weekend shift premiums. DOL counts only guaranteed base wages toward prevailing wage compliance; discretionary shift bonuses and on-call stipends do not offset a base salary that falls below the certified LCA wage level.
Use Migrate Mate to find Gas Plant Operators sponsors
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a verified history of sponsoring Gas Plant Operators and related compressor technician roles, so you can target companies that have already navigated the LCA process for this occupation rather than guessing from general job boards.
Jobs for Gas Plant Operators are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Gas Plant OperatorsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-8092.00 alongside Gas Plant Operators, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech) Prevailing Wage
Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech) Prevailing Wage
Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech) positions fall under SOC 51-8092.00 (Gas Plant Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Engine Room Operator Prevailing Wage
Engine Room Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Engine Room Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-8092.00 (Gas Plant Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Gas Controller Prevailing Wage
Gas Controller Prevailing Wage
Gas Controller is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-8092.00 (Gas Plant Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Gas Dispatcher Prevailing Wage
Gas Dispatcher Prevailing Wage
Gas Dispatcher positions fall under SOC 51-8092.00 (Gas Plant Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Gas Resource Control Operator Prevailing Wage
Gas Resource Control Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Gas Resource Control Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-8092.00 (Gas Plant Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Gas System Operator Prevailing Wage
Gas System Operator Prevailing Wage
Gas System Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-8092.00 (Gas Plant Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Liquefied Natural Gas Technician (LNG Technician) Prevailing Wage
Liquefied Natural Gas Technician (LNG Technician) Prevailing Wage
Liquefied Natural Gas Technician (LNG Technician) positions fall under SOC 51-8092.00 (Gas Plant Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator) Prevailing Wage
Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-8092.00 (Gas Plant Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Plant Operator Prevailing Wage
Plant Operator Prevailing Wage
Plant Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-8092.00 (Gas Plant Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Gas Plant Operators?
DOL draws on Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. For each area, DOL calculates four wage levels tied to experience and complexity. Employers filing an LCA for a Gas Plant Operators position must certify they will pay at least the level that matches the job requirements in the specific worksite area.
What do the four wage levels mean, and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL defines levels by the degree of supervision, complexity, and judgment required. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 covers qualified workers handling standard tasks with moderate oversight; Level 3 reflects experienced workers with significant independence; Level 4 is for fully competent senior or lead operators. Review the LCA your employer filed with OFLC to see which level was certified for your specific position.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Gas Plant Operators role vary so much by city?
OFLC derives wages from regional Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys, so local labor market conditions are baked into every metro's figure. A dense concentration of refineries and utility infrastructure in coastal California pushes those wages far above a small midwestern market. Critically, the worksite address on the LCA controls which metro rate applies, not where the employer is headquartered or incorporated.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An LCA cannot be certified by OFLC if the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the correct level and worksite area. If the LCA lists an inflated level to clear the floor while the actual duties are lower-level, that constitutes a misrepresentation. USCIS can deny the H-1B petition, and DOL can audit and penalize the employer. The candidate should request a copy of the certified LCA before signing any offer.
How can I verify the prevailing wage for Gas Plant Operators in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current four-level wages for SOC 51-8092 in any metropolitan area. Select the correct fiscal year, enter the occupation code, and choose the metro covering your worksite. You can also consult the O*NET profile for occupational context. Migrate Mate lets you filter sponsored Gas Plant Operators listings by location so you can cross-check posted salaries against the applicable floor.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Gas Plant Operators right now.
Search Jobs for Gas Plant Operators