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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 51-8092 Gas Plant Operators
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
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Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
OJT: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Tasks: Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed. Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should. Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas. Start and shut down plant equipment. Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows. Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems. Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed. Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems. Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading. Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions. 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. Contact maintenance crews when necessary. Change charts in recording meters.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Very Good
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $28.53   Entry $59,347.00
Mean $36.04   Mean $74,952.00
Experience $39.78 Experience $82,759.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
27027025 
Related Occupations: Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Chemical Plant and System Operators
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Elevator Installers and Repairers
Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics and Installers
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Medical Equipment Repairers
Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
No postsecondary schools reported programs.
Occupational Videos
51-8092.00 Gas Plant Operators