How to hire a compressor station operator

How to hire a compressor station operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step compressor station operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a compressor station operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new compressor station operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your compressor station operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a compressor station operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A compressor station operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, compressor station operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of compressor station operators.

   Type of Compressor Station Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Compressor Station Operator		$14-31
   Gas Engineer	A Gas Engineer specializes in installing, maintaining, and repairing gas systems and appliances in homes and business establishments. They typically travel to various locations, conduct inspections using detectors and other equipment, troubleshoot problems, replace or fix parts, and enforce safety protocols in case of emergencies... Show more	$30-67
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Station #
   • Dehydration
   • Safety Regulations
   • Minor Maintenance
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Storage Tanks
   • DOT
   • Ariel
   • Station Operations
   • PLC
   • Troubleshoot
   • Electric Motors
   • SCADA

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage natural gas control and SCADA operations for company transmission line system.
   • Enforce compliance FAA regulations to airline personnel with administrative policies, procedures, safety rules and governmental regulations.
   • Operate computer network systems in military CGS vehicle and analyze message traffic data.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your compressor station operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A compressor station operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, compressor station operators' average salary in missouri is 23% less than in arizona.
   • Seniority. Entry-level compressor station operators earn 55% less than senior-level compressor station operators.
   • Certifications. A compressor station operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a compressor station operator's salary.

   Average compressor station operator salary

   $45,421yearly

   $21.84 hourly rate

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   Entry-level compressor station operator salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing a compressor station operator job description

   A compressor station operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a compressor station operator job description:

   Compressor station operator job description example

   Operator, Compressor Station-000C8FDescription
   
   Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is one of the largest publicly traded partnerships and a leading North American provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals. Our services include: natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation and storage; NGL transportation, fractionation, storage and import and export terminals; crude oil gathering, transportation, storage and terminals; petrochemical and refined products transportation, storage and terminals; and a marine transportation business that operates primarily on the United States inland and Intracoastal Waterway systems. The partnership's assets include approximately 50,000 miles of pipelines; 260 million barrels of storage capacity for NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals; and 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity.
   
   The Compressor Station Operator is multi-skilled position that is responsible for the operation and maintenance of gathering system compressor stations. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
   
   Daily documentation of equipment, performing PM's, housekeeping, maximizing throughput, performing minor maintenance on engines, compressors, separators, generators, flares and cooling fans and performing line locates in and around the compressor station.
   
   Work with craft personnel to ensure any equipment/system problems are resolved in a timely manner.
   
   Responsible for operation of compressor stations which may include 3612 Caterpillar engines driving aerial compressors or centrifugal compressors totaling close to 200,000 hp.
   
   Responsible for troubleshooting abnormal operations, coordinating and monitoring activities of contractor personnel assigned to the area.
   
   Identify emergency situations and initiate emergency response procedures.
   
   Complete and maintain required reports and logs.
   
   Monitor and adjust, as required or needed, equipment to maintain optimum availability and efficiently.
   
   Work with various types of equipment including 3612 Caterpillar engines driving aerial compressors; solar gas turbines; solar gensets; and electric motor driving centrifugal compressors.
   
   Qualifications
   The successful candidate will meet the following qualifications:
   
   High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
   
   Technical certification or equivalent training in a mechanical environment or energy related field preferred.
   
   Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
   
   Minimum of 3 years stable work history, preferably in the energy industry and/or technical training in the areas mechanical and/or electrical field.
   
   Possess a strong commitment to personal and job safety.
   
   Must demonstrate strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot and repair all types of mechanical equipment.
   
   Must be able to read prints, drawings and technical manuals and possess the ability to prepare technical reports.
   
   Must have dexterity in the use of tools and equipment.
   
   Must be able to perform basic mathematical calculations and possess basic computer skills with proficiency in MS Office applications including spreadsheet and word processing applications.
   
   Good verbal/ written communication skills, decision making skills and strong work ethic.
   
   Able to maintain and promote good working relationships within a team environment.
   
   Able to work independently or as part of a team.
   
   Able to assume responsibility, be flexible, perform duties and handle multiple tasks under potentially stressful and/or hazardous conditions.
   
   Must be willing to work overtime and handle call-outs and must live or relocate to within 1 hour response time of job assignment.
   
   Works indoors and outdoors in and around industrial and electrical equipment.
   
   Required to climb about equipment and work in confined areas.
   
   Works in temperature extremes due to weather conditions and operating equipment.
   
   Uses physical force to lift, push, pull and hold equipment and tools.
   
   Climbs and works at various heights and may work in a standing, sitting, lying down, crouched or kneeling position.
   
   Routinely reacts to visual, aural and other signals, including alarms and instructions, and is required to visually inspect work.
   
   May work in confined spaces (i.e. tanks, between compressors, vessels).
   
   Must be able to regularly bend, stoop, move from ground level to higher levels, raise/lift from ground level and lift up to 50 lbs., manually transport a load up to 75 lbs., apply up to 100 foot pounds of torque.
   
   Must have ability to get in and out of vehicles regularly and ride over rough roads.
   
   Must wear special safety equipment while working and must be able to lift and put on emergency breathing apparatus and/or protective equipment.
   
   Primary Location: USA-Wyoming-PinedaleShift: RotatingTravel: Yes, 10 % of the TimeUnposting Date: OngoingOrganization: OperationsJob: Plant/Terminal OperationsJob Level: Entry Level

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find compressor station operators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any compressor station operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level compressor station operators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your compressor station operator job on Zippia to find and recruit compressor station operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with compressor station operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new compressor station operator

   Once you've selected the best compressor station operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new compressor station operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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