Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Gas Plant Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

Gas Plant Operators out-earn First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by $13K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Gas Plant Operators land at $87,820 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: gas plant operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Gas Plant Operators is California ($130,220); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Gas Plant Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$87,820
$74,450
Hourly rate
$42.22/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$61,350
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$115,520
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
18,030
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-8.8%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
California
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Gas Plant Operators median pay.

State
Gas Plant Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
California
$130,220
$76,840
New Jersey
$110,900
$81,110
Connecticut
$109,060
$83,150
Louisiana
$108,350
$77,520
Arizona
$104,600
$75,330
Massachusetts
$103,830
$79,920
Maryland
$102,950
$78,520
Minnesota
$100,500
$78,550
New York
$98,390
$78,580
Colorado
$98,080
$78,890
North Dakota
$96,760
$76,350
Maine
$93,990
$78,970
Washington
$83,650
$79,310
Wyoming
$81,550
$90,390
South Carolina
$67,580
$77,500

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Gas Plant Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Gas Plant Operators earn more nationally. The median is $87,820 for Gas Plant Operators versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $13K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Gas Plant Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -8.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Gas Plant Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Gas Plant Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Gas Plant Operators get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Gas Plant Operators at $130,220/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Gas Plant Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Gas Plant Operators earn $130,220 vs. $76,840 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Gas Plant Operators salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Gas Plant Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a gas plant operatorsGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →