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Natural Gas Compressor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tcenergy

Pipeline Technician

Pleasant Hill, CA

... compressor station facilities by helping organize and maintain sites, assisting various trades ... The position supports a diverse asset base that includes natural gas compression, station ...

California Bioenergy LLC

Biogas PM Mechanic

Tulare, CA · On-site

$32 - $40/hr

... natural gas (RNG) and electricity. Our projects reduce more than 1 million metric tons of CO₂e ... Ensure all compressor preventive maintenance requirements are captured in CMMS and can be scheduled ...

NV5

Sr. Pipeline Stress Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Perform advanced pipe stress analyses for aboveground natural gas and auxiliary piping systems ... Blowoff assemblies * Compressor or storage facility piping * Gas transmission & distribution ...

NV5

Sr. Pipeline Stress Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Perform advanced pipe stress analyses for aboveground natural gas and auxiliary piping systems ... Blowoff assemblies * Compressor or storage facility piping * Gas transmission & distribution ...

NV5

Sr. Pipeline Stress Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Perform advanced pipe stress analyses for aboveground natural gas and auxiliary piping systems ... Blowoff assemblies * Compressor or storage facility piping * Gas transmission & distribution ...

NV5

Sr. Pipeline Stress Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Perform advanced pipe stress analyses for aboveground natural gas and auxiliary piping systems ... Blowoff assemblies * Compressor or storage facility piping * Gas transmission & distribution ...

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All JobsNatural Gas Compressor JobsNatural Gas Compressor Jobs in California

Natural Gas Compressor information

See California salary details

$15

$30

$46

How much do natural gas compressor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for natural gas compressor in California is $30.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.87 and $38.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a natural gas compressor?

A natural gas compressor is a machine or equipment used to increase the pressure of natural gas by reducing its volume. Compressors are essential in the natural gas industry for transporting gas through pipelines over long distances, as higher pressure is needed to move the gas efficiently. They play a critical role in gas processing plants, pipeline transmission, and storage facilities. Natural gas compressors come in various types, such as reciprocating, centrifugal, and rotary screw, each suited for different applications.

What is a natural gas compressor operator?

Working as a natural gas compressor, you are a technician that handles equipment related to natural gas. Your responsibilities include installing, maintaining, and repairing gas lines. You operate a compressor station, using its controls to adjust the mechanical components of gas transmitters. Other duties include interpreting schematic drawings, completing ignition analysis, and monitoring equipment conditions to ensure they remain safe. You also readjust the volume of gas inside of lines to provide smooth transportation. There are no freelance positions in this line of work. You work for a company, either in-house for larger corporations or as a third party with various agencies.

What does a natural gas compressor operator do?

As a Natural Gas Compressor operator, your daily responsibilities include monitoring and controlling compressor stations to ensure the safe and efficient movement of natural gas through pipelines. This involves inspecting equipment, recording operational data, performing routine maintenance, and responding quickly to any alarms or irregularities. You'll also collaborate closely with maintenance teams and control room personnel to address technical issues and uphold safety standards. Attention to detail and strong troubleshooting skills are key to succeeding in this role.

What is the difference between Natural Gas Compressor vs Gas Plant Operator?

AspectNatural Gas CompressorGas Plant Operator
Primary RoleOperates and maintains compressor equipment to move natural gas through pipelinesManages overall operations of a gas processing plant, including compression, separation, and treatment
CertificationsMay require compressor-specific certifications and safety trainingRequires certifications in plant operations and safety standards
Work EnvironmentField-based, often outdoors, working near pipelines and compressor stationsIndoor and outdoor plant environments, overseeing multiple systems
Industry UsageEssential for pipeline transportation of natural gasOversees entire gas processing facilities, including compression systems

While both roles involve working with natural gas infrastructure, a Natural Gas Compressor focuses specifically on operating compressor equipment to facilitate gas flow, whereas a Gas Plant Operator manages the broader operations of a gas processing plant, including compression, separation, and treatment processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a natural gas compressor operator?

To thrive as a Natural Gas Compressor Operator, you need mechanical aptitude, basic knowledge of gas compression systems, and a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional technical training often preferred. Familiarity with SCADA systems, gas measurement instruments, and routine maintenance tools is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help operators quickly address issues and work safely with team members. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable compressor station operations in the natural gas industry.
More about Natural Gas Compressor jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Natural Gas Compressor jobs in California? The most popular types of Natural Gas Compressor jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Natural Gas Compressor jobs in California? For Natural Gas Compressor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Natural Gas Compressor jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Natural Gas Compressor jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Natural Gas Compressor jobs? Cities in California with the most Natural Gas Compressor job openings:
Natural Gas Compressor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Natural Gas Compressor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,598 per year, or $30.1 per hour.

Biogas Compressor Technician

California Bioenergy LLC

Bakersfield, CA • On-site

$40 - $46/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Biogas Compressor Technician

Department: Maintenance

Payroll Company Name: CalBio OpCo Personnel

Reports To: Director of Maintenance

Location: Kern

Hourly Pay Range: $40.00 to $46.00 per hour

Benefits: Standard CalBio benefits package is available: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance,

401k with match.


COMPANY DESCRIPTION

California Bioenergy LLC (CalBio), founded in 2006, is one of the nation’s leading developers, owners, and operators of dairy digester projects. Working closely with our family dairy partners and agencies, including CARB, CDFA, CPUC, CEC, and the EPA, alongside affiliates Midwest Bioenergy, Northwest Bioenergy, and Southwest Bioenergy, we capture methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and beneficially use it to generate renewable natural gas (RNG) and electricity. Our projects reduce more than 1 million metric tons of CO₂e emissions per year, with a pathway to doubling these reductions over the next three years. A major use of CalBio RNG is as vehicle fuel; when truck fleets transition from diesel to natural gas, pollution emissions can drop by ~90%, delivering immediate air-quality benefits in communities such as California’s San Joaquin Valley and the L.A. Basin. These projects also help protect local air and water quality, create jobs, and provide new revenue and other meaningful benefits for our dairy partners.

POSITION OVERVIEW


Reporting to the Director of Maintenance, the Biogas Compressor Technician is responsible for performing skilled technical work to ensure that all anaerobic digester conditioning skids and upgrader compressor systems operate reliably and at peak performance. This position supports a facility that includes digesters, pumps, gas blowers, compressors, oxygen generators, condensers, chillers, and other related auxiliary equipment.


The Biogas Compressor Technician specializes in the operation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of gas compression systems used to transfer, compress, and recover biogas and associated gases. This role ensures all compressor units and supporting components remain in “like-new” condition through preventative maintenance practices, timely diagnostics, and safe, efficient operation.


ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Perform routine and preventive maintenance, inspections, and repairs on rotary screw and reciprocating compressors, as well as all ancillary equipment critical to biogas upgrading and compression operations.
  • Ensure all preventive maintenance tasks for compressors and support systems are accurately documented and scheduled within the CMMS to maintain consistent service intervals.
  • Provide operator training to ensure on-site personnel are capable of performing basic maintenance, repairs, and reconditioning of industrial compressors, biogas compression systems, and inline dryers.
  • Assist with installation, piping, commissioning, and startup of new compressors and air/gas drying systems.
  • Serve as the primary troubleshooting technician for both high-pressure and low-pressure compressor systems, diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and control-related faults.
  • Function as a field technician responsible for the complete maintenance, repair, and operational reliability of all company-owned compressor units.
  • Install, service, and maintain industrial-scale gas and air compressors used in anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading processes.
  • Generate detailed repair work orders identifying equipment deficiencies, failure causes, and corrective actions required to restore compressors to optimal condition.
  • Collaborate closely with the Maintenance Planner to ensure appropriate levels of critical spare parts and consumables are stocked, reducing equipment downtime and improving operational readiness.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT


Performance will be assessed 90 days after initial hire, and then annually after that. Plant Operations will be measured against plant operating efficiency, uptime (reliability), and cost expectations. The successful operator will be measured against adherence to company policy and ability to drive sustained efficiency through personal effort, communication, teamwork, and ability to leverage external resources.


QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in industrial maintenance, biogas processing, or related gas-handling operations is preferred.
  • Relevant technical or operational experience may be supplemented with military training in mechanical, electrical, or equipment maintenance fields.
  • Strong working knowledge of safety protocols, lockout/tagout procedures, and safe work practices in industrial environments.
  • Ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing operating conditions, system alarms, and equipment performance issues.
  • Proficiency in reading, writing, and communicating in English is required.
  • Capable of reading and interpreting mechanical, electrical, and piping schematics for troubleshooting and repair activities.
  • Skilled in analyzing equipment data, operating trends, and performance metrics to make sound recommendations on system conditions.
  • Fundamental proficiency with Windows-based software, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, using either a PC or tablet.
  • tablet required


WORKING CONDITIONS

Work locations are industrial and agricultural, primarily outdoors in the central valley of California. Temperatures range from 40 deg F in the winter to 115 deg F in the summer. Limited exposure to hazardous materials and/or toxic fumes will require the use of approved personal protective equipment. Regular exposure to heat, noise, flammable materials, rotating equipment, and other conditions normally encountered in an industrial environment should be expected. California Bioenergy will ensure all applicable work rules and safety requirements are closely adhered to. This position will require heavy lifting (<50 lbs.) and/or climbing ladder and/or stairs.