Best Paying Jobs in Natural Gas Distribution

Anyone desiring to work in an area that is not only rapidly growing but also has plenty of opportunities should consider some of the best-paying jobs in natural gas distribution that are covered herein. A career in natural gas distribution industry offers immense benefits asides from the earnings that come along with it. Project and people management are skills you will rarely learn elsewhere. You will also have to acquire technical skills in the field. These are invaluable in terms of career growth and individual progress. Another important knowledge you will acquire as an expert in top paying job in natural gas distribution industry is an understanding of environmental sciences. This entails all facets of gas distribution and the environments such as gas pipelines and their supporting systems. The industry offers a wide variety of job opportunities across distinct locations encompassing field and office work. It is therefore quite easy to find suitable work in a preferred setting.

Is a Career in Natural Gas Distribution Desirable?

The best-paying jobs in natural gas distribution provide an immense opportunity for anyone that loves working with people and desires a fast-paced and highly competitive environment. The industry attracts many natural gas industry job applications annually and has proven to be the most desired globally. Some of the benefits of working in this industry include:

• Working with people- Almost all the roles in natural gas distribution involve working with people. It is thus an excellent choice for anyone that loves direct interactions with clients.

• A passion for geology/environment- Production and distribution of natural gas entails drilling, extraction, and environmental regulations. A job in this area will therefore provide an excellent opportunity for anyone with a passion for geology or the environment.

• Career growth- Natural gas distribution industry offers unlimited possibilities when it comes to career growth. Existing and new natural gas distribution careers make it possible for any aggressive employee to achieve their wildest career goals. The resource is much needed, and its demand is increasing every year. The industry, therefore, provides a steady profession for anyone with a passion for this area of work.

• Job Mobility- You can easily find a natural gas distribution job in any location. The highest paying cities for natural gas distribution jobs in the U.S include Deer Park, CA, Johnstonville, CA, Atkinson, NE, Belgrade, MT, Green River, WY, Bridgehampton, NY, Bellevue, WA, Roslyn Estates, NY, Stamford, CT, and Brooklyn, NY. Anyone desiring a career with a lot of travel and mobility should consider joining the natural gas distribution career.

• Job impact- Natural gas is a necessity given the fact that it powers about half of the U.S households. It is an energy source that directly impacts society. This is therefore an ideal career for anyone desiring work that gives back to the community. Additionally, natural gas is environmentally safe making the work more impactful globally.

• Education and Training- There are plenty of learning opportunities and training in the natural gas industry. Companies regularly provide their staff with training and education. This not only improves job performance but also helps prepare staff for future roles within and outside the organization. This is an industry where the job is stable and career growth is guaranteed for self-driven individuals.

• Health benefits – Employees in the various job roles in the natural gas distribution chain enjoy unmatched healthcare benefits from their employer. Most companies provide customized benefits to help safeguard the welfare of their staff.

• Attractive pay- The natural gas distribution sector offers the most competitive pay to its workers, irrespective of the hierarchy. The possibilities of earning more are also immense making the industry one of the most desired.

Education Requirements for High-Paying Jobs in Natural Gas Distribution

The requirements for the various roles in natural gas distribution vary depending on the level of hierarchy. Entry-level roles require a high school diploma or GED whereas higher roles require a university degree.

The bachelor’s qualification for a role in natural gas distribution:

• Geology Degree-this focuses on all aspects of the environment and the natural gas industry. The degree grants the candidate the position of a geoscientist in the natural gas distribution field.

• Engineering Degree-the natural gas distribution chain relies heavily on engineers. They take charge of important roles that include designing, building, improving, and maintaining natural gas systems. Desired qualifications include mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and environmental engineering.

• Project Management Degree-project managers spearhead most of the work and projects in natural gas distribution. A degree in this field thus guarantees a career in the industry.

• Certifications-other important certifications that can help with your career growth in the natural gas distribution industry include Risk management, American National Standards Institute Certification, and P&ID (Piping and instrumentation diagram certification).

The best Paying Jobs in Natural Gas Distribution and Salary Estimates

Here are some takeaways before we delve into the job roles and salary estimates for the best-paying jobs in natural gas distribution:

• There are plenty of opportunities for everyone in the gas distribution industry-highly skilled professionals and entry-level positions.

• Salary may vary concerning education level, job responsibility, training, and experience. For entry-level roles, the salary range starts from $30000 to $40000. Skilled and specialized positions enjoy a salary of $50000 to $100,000. Finally, the senior executives enjoy a salary of $200,000 or more.

• Career progression and growth in the natural gas distribution industry are achievable for those that are passionate about the gas industry. You can start from an entry position and work your way up the organization. You can also begin with an education in your area of interest before seeking an employment position in the field. The main advantage of this industry is the fact that anyone can begin their career from below, grow, and end up in the best-paying jobs in natural gas distribution.

Some of the roles and salary expectations in best-paying jobs in natural gas distribution:

• Chief Executive- This is the highest paying role in the natural gas distribution industry. The role of the Chief Executive is to oversee the operations of the business, encompassing finances and product development. Their take-home salary is $1,250,000 in a year, in addition to bonuses and other benefits that vary concerning the company.

• Project Manager- The project manager oversees entire projects and is responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of the project. They supervise the project from start to finish and ensure the project is within budget and following safety standards. Project managers have bachelor’s degrees in Project management and Engineering. They also have a minimum of 10 years of experience in managing projects. Their annual salary is $197,000, excluding other benefits such as bonuses and commissions.

• The Drilling Supervisor- A perfect role for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and drilling technology. They enjoy a salary of $186,000 a year in addition to bonuses and other benefits. Their key role is taking lead in drilling operations to ensure projects are completed as required and within time. They are also responsible for guaranteeing the onsite safety and efficiency of projects as per set objectives and targets.

• Reservoir Engineer- Persons in this role is also referred to as Pipeline or Petroleum Engineers. They hold a bachelor’s degree in Geology, Petroleum Engineering, or Engineering. The key role of the Reservoir Engineer is the identification and evaluation of gas and oil reserves. They use special tools and equipment to monitor and optimize the drilling process continuously. Their salary is $172,000 excluding other benefits such as bonuses and others.

• Drilling Engineer- This is one of the best paying jobs in natural gas distribution with a salary of $162,000 annually in addition to other benefits. The role entails the assessment and maintenance of wells. They also take charge of guaranteeing the safety of the wells and handled the financial and technical aspects of a drilling project. The main education requirement for such a role is a bachelor’s degree. Prior experience as a production engineer or field engineer will benefit me in this area.

• Natural Gas Engineer- This role comes with an average salary of $154,000 a year. It is an ideal role for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. The Natural Gas Engineer ensures the safety, quality, reliability, and sustainability of the natural gas distribution systems. They plan, design, and maintain the natural gas distribution systems.

• Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager- The HSE manager oversees onshore and offshore production sites. Their main work is to monitor the safety, occupational health, and environmental performance of operations. A high school diploma can suffice for those interested in becoming HSE managers. Additionally, prior experience as a safety supervisor or safety manager will come in handy for such as role. The salary level for this role is $158,000 a year, in addition to other benefits.

• Project Engineer- This role is one of the best paying jobs in natural gas distribution raking in $114,000 a year. They are responsible for guaranteeing the safe design, construction, and maintenance of natural gas distribution systems. They are also responsible for reviewing progress reports, and any construction changes, and will update the stakeholders. Bachelor’s degree in engineering fields such as chemical, mechanical, and civil engineering is a requirement for the role.

• Production Engineer- The average salary for this role is $110,000. They are responsible for monitoring the efficiency of the natural gas well. They design and choose the post-drilling well equipment. Career experience in the field helps, with a post-secondary degree giving an added advantage.

• Distribution Manager- This role entails the supervision of the various teams that work in distribution factories. It involves the evaluation, testing, and repairing of goods to ensure quality standards are met. They work directly with construction teams in providing the pipeline and distribution of materials for consumers. Their salary is $70,741 annually on average.

• Transport Manager- This is one of the best paying jobs in natural gas distribution, earning an average of $63,449 per year. The TM has a team of transportation professionals such as operators and drivers that report directly to him/her. The role of the TM is to ensure goods and materials are efficiently transported. They are responsible for delivering materials to the construction team who is responsible for building pipelines.

• Project Accountant- They is bestowed with the responsibility of managing project finances and budget. They earn a salary of $61,016 a year, excluding additional benefits that vary depending on the company. They deal directly with project managers and engineers, helping keep the project on course and within budget.

• Chemical Engineer- They work closely with natural gas distribution professionals whenever long expanses of pipes are required. These are particularly pipes that can withstand the elements such as storms and harsh sunlight. They also engage in scouting activities to help identify new sources of natural gas. The Chemical Engineers create the alloys and plastic materials that are used for making designs and equipment used in natural gas production and distribution. Their expertise in diverse materials and chemical reactions comes in handy. A person in this role makes $81,092 annually, making this one of the best-paying jobs in natural gas distribution.

• Geographer- This are experts that make use of sophisticated imaging equipment that help detect rare deposits underneath the surface of the earth. They map global positions and venture into uncharted territories. They help search for new natural gas deposits and provide the best approach for harvesting the gas. They are paid an average of $69,885 per year, excluding other benefits.

• Geologists– Their work is like that of Geographers even though they offer a more specialized solution when it comes to the study of the earth’s composition. They carry out field research in various sites such as landforms, volcanoes, and mountains. They collect samples from these areas and study them in the laboratory. This way they can predict areas where natural gas can be found. They are also instrumental in providing the best approaches to employ when breaking ground to remove natural gas.

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Conclusion

This article has shed light on some of the best-paying jobs in natural gas distribution. Natural gas has been in use for almost half a century. Initially, it was used to power lights within buildings and on streets. With technology, natural gas usage has expanded immensely, and it can now be used for anything imaginable. According to EIA natural gas contributed about 38% of the electricity generated in the U.S. as per 2019 data. Natural gas is also used for heating in at least half of U.S. households. Production and transportation industries also use about 33% of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. This has, therefore, generated job opportunities in the natural gas distribution industry. The demand for natural gas is projected to increase over the next few years in the U.S. and globally. Natural gas is abundant and is the most sustainable when compared to other energy sources. It, therefore, has enormous potential in terms of helping reduce carbon emissions and air pollution.