Gas station operator
Also known as: gas pumping station operator, gas-compressor operative, gas compressor and gas pumping station operative, butadiene compressor operator, butane compressor operator, gas-compressor operator
About this occupation
Gas station operators process gases for compression, transmission or recovery by using gas, steam or electric engine compressors. They perform chemical tests on gases and are responsible for pumps and pipelines operations.
A specialisation of chemical processing plant controller.
Essential skills and knowledge
- maintain equipment
- optimise production processes parameters
- pipeline transport regulations;
- operate pumping equipment
- tend compressor engine
- ensure correct gas pressure
- monitor valves
- operate gas extraction equipment
- record production data
- test oxygen purity
- use chemical analysis equipment
- read gas meter
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators (O*NET 53-7071.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Monitor meters and pressure gauges to determine consumption rate variations, temperatures, and pressures.
- Respond to problems by adjusting control room equipment or instructing other personnel to adjust equipment at problem locations or in other control areas.
- Record instrument readings and operational changes in operating logs.
- Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.
- Move controls and turn valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
- Operate power-driven pumps that transfer liquids, semi-liquids, gases, or powdered materials.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Monitoring
US median pay: US$77,320 a year (2025), 3,510 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.8)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.6)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Gas Plant Operators
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Power Plant Operators
- Chemical Plant and System Operators
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
- Wellhead Pumpers
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.