Gas Plant Operators Salary
The median pay for a gas plant operators in Arkansas is $100,870/year ($48.49/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $104K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.64), which stretches that salary to about $115,096 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,021/month, or 16% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arkansas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $101K get you in Arkansas?
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What this looks like in Arkansas
Arkansas sits well above the national pay line for gas plant operators, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $88K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,021/month, 16.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.64 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Arkansas offers a genuinely strong financial position for gas plant operatorss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arkansas
Entry-level gas plant operators (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K. Top earners bring in $104K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Gas Plant Operators salary by metro in Arkansas
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $88K | -12% | 30 |
| Fort Smith | $74K | -26% | 50 |
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Track gas plant operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arkansas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a gas plant operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arkansas?
Yes — at the median salary of $101K, rent takes 16.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,021/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for gas plant operators in Arkansas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new gas plant operators typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,896/month. At HUD’s $1,021/month FMR, rent would take 26% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is gas plant operator a high-paying job in Arkansas?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $101K here vs. $88K nationally.
How does Arkansas compare to the national average for gas plant operators?
Arkansas pays $101K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.64), the purchasing-power equivalent is $115K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do gas plant operators make in Arkansas?
The median is $100,870 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,940, and experienced gas plant operators can clear $103,700. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in Arkansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,299/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,021/month, which eats 16.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a gas plant operators salary go in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a Regional Price Parity of 87.64 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median gas plant operators salary is worth about $115,096 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do gas plant operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.