Monitors and operates oil, gas or product pipelines remotely from a control room using SCADA systems, adjusting pumps, valves and flows. BLS does not publish separate figures for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators; it counts them within gas compressor and gas pumping station operator (SOC 53-7071), whose median pay is $77,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 53-7071
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Pipeline Controller in four numbers
- Median pay
- $77,320a year, or $37.17/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $46KTop 10% $100K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.1%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3003,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20253.5K
- Projected 20353.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 3.5K Projected 2035 3.6K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school64.6%
- Certificate10.5%
- Some college11.1%
- Associate's13.9%
Highest education held by gas compressor and gas pumping station operators Segment Value High school 64.6% Certificate 10.5% Some college 11.1% Associate's 13.9%
Also advertised as: Pipeline Control Room Operator, Gas Control Operator, Oil Movements Controller, Liquids Pipeline Controller, Natural Gas Pipeline Controller.
Pay
How much do Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators make?
Every pipeline controller in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$77,320
Middle half earn $58,580 to $91,020
- 10th
- $46,180
- 25th
- $58,580
- 75th
- $91,020
- 90th
- $99,510
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,180 |
| 25th | $58,580 |
| Median | $77,320 |
| 75th | $91,020 |
| 90th | $99,510 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $77,320
- Median hourly wage
- $37.17/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $74,610
- People employed
- 3,510
Versus all US occupations
At $77,320, Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators earn 52% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $26,340 a year.
Versus transportation and material moving occupations
Inside the Transportation and Material Moving group, where the middle occupation pays $62,840, this is 23% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $99,510 or more while the bottom 10% earn $46,180, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 54% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Kansas pays the most at $107,730, and still leads at $119,610 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kansas | $107,730 | $119,610 | 50 |
| 2Alaska | $106,440 | $103,987 | 60 |
| 3Indiana | $100,280 | $107,448 | 40 |
| 4Ohio | $85,930 | $92,623 | 120 |
| 5Montana | $83,750 | $88,489 | 100 |
| 6Oklahoma | $82,150 | $93,519 | 140 |
| 7Texas | $82,120 | $84,610 | 1,350 |
| 8Louisiana | $79,970 | $90,662 | 60 |
| 9Michigan | $78,240 | $81,316 | 40 |
| 10Colorado | $76,200 | $73,943 | N/A |
Job outlook
Is Pipeline Controller a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +2.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | +2.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators to change 2.1% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 300 openings are projected each year, 8.6% of the 3,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Pipeline Controller
Many pipeline controllers have a high school diploma plus experience as plant operators, field technicians, military operators or dispatchers, though some employers prefer an associate's degree. Hiring often involves aptitude testing and simulator assessments.
Training is done in-house and can last months, combining classroom learning, simulator work and supervised shifts. Controllers must be qualified under PHMSA operator qualification rules and their company's control room management plan, and they requalify regularly. Industry guidance such as API Recommended Practice on control room management shapes the training. Controllers who show steady judgment can advance to senior controller, shift lead or control room supervisor.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as gas compressor and gas pumping station operators.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)64.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree13.9%
- Some College Courses11.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate10.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 64.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 13.9% |
| Some College Courses | 11.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 10.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Pipeline Controller do?
Pipeline controllers run hundreds or thousands of miles of pipeline from a control room. Using SCADA screens, they open and close valves, start and stop pumps or compressors, and adjust pressures to move crude oil, natural gas or refined products to the right place at the right time.
They watch alarms for signs of leaks, overpressure or equipment trouble and decide whether to shut down a line. Controllers coordinate with field technicians, schedulers and customers, keep detailed shift logs, and follow federal control room management rules that set limits on fatigue, alarm handling and training.
Day-to-day tasks
- Operate valves, pumps and compressors remotely through SCADA
- Monitor pressures, flows and alarms across the pipeline system
- Respond to abnormal conditions and possible leaks
- Coordinate product batches and deliveries with schedulers
- Communicate with field technicians about maintenance
- Keep detailed shift logs and hand over at shift change
- Complete simulator drills and requalification training
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Controllers work in secure, climate-controlled control rooms on rotating twelve-hour shifts covering nights, weekends and holidays. The job is seated and screen-based, but it demands sustained attention because decisions affect public safety. Fatigue rules limit consecutive shifts. Control rooms are staffed every hour of the year, so controllers work holidays on rotation, and they are trained to stay calm and follow procedures during emergencies.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.6
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Listening3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Writing3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Active Learning2.9
- Mathematics2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Mathematics | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring4.0
- Operation and Control3.9
- Equipment Maintenance3.1
- Troubleshooting3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Repairing3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.9 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.1 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Repairing | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Facilities management software
- Industrial control software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Pipeline Controller?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code CRI) built on O*NET's Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Pipeline Controller |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.3
- Conventional5.3
- Investigative3.1
- Social1.5
- Enterprising1.5
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Pipeline Controller
O*NET related occupations
- Transportation and Material Moving
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator
$77,320median a year
Most earn $46K to $100K
+2.1%High school - Production
- Production
Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger
$96,710median a year
Most earn $57K to $116K
−1.9%High school - Production
- Production
- Transportation and Material Moving
More transportation and material moving careers
Median annual pay, with gas compressor and gas pumping station operators highlighted
- Airline Pilot$232,140
- Commercial Pilot$123,220
- Locomotive Engineer$81,410
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$78,000
- Pipeline Controller$77,320
- Crane and Tower Operator$68,080
- Flight Attendant$63,580
- Truck Driver$58,640
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$49,690
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilot | $232,140 |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 |
| Pipeline Controller | $77,320 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 |
| Truck Driver | $58,640 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Pipeline Controller appears on
Questions
Pipeline Controller: frequently asked questions
How much do Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for gas compressor and gas pumping station operators. It counts them within gas compressor and gas pumping station operator, whose median pay is $77,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $58,580 and $91,020, and the top 10% earn $99,510 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Pipeline Controller?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 64.6% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Pipeline Controller a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 2.1% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Pipeline Controller do?
Pipeline controllers run hundreds or thousands of miles of pipeline from a control room. A typical task: operate valves, pumps and compressors remotely through SCADA. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators the most?
The highest state medians for Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators are Kansas ($107,730), Alaska ($106,440), Indiana ($100,280) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Pipeline Controller?
O*NET scores Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.