Career Explorer Transport and logistics
Human edge, steady
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators
Operate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 84% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.1% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on physical dexterity and ethical judgement.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $77,320
- Job growth to 2035
- +2.1%
- Openings a year
- 300
- People doing it (2025)
- 3,500
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Connect components or supply lines to equipment or tools
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Operate pumping systems or equipment
- Maintain operational records
- Monitor equipment operation
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as automation and remote monitoring technologies reduce some demand for on-site staff at compressor stations along pipelines.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Tank car, truck, and ship loadersHuman edge, steady, Index 90, +2.8%
- Solar photovoltaic installersHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +36.5%
- Tree trimmers and prunersHuman edge, growing, Index 98, +4.2%
- Crane and tower operatorsHuman edge, growing, Index 93, +3.8%
Also known as: Compressor Station Operator, Compressor Technician, Filler, Plant Operator, Compressor Operator, Fill Plant Operator, Liquefied Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator), Pipeline Technician.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.