Abstract: A gas compressor is provided. The gas compressor comprises a motor, a pinion operatively coupled to the motor, a rack gear driven by the pinion, at least one inlet gas connection and at least one outlet gas connection, and a piston and piston rod reciprocal within a compressor cylinder. The piston rod is coupled to the rack gear, whereby gas entering the compressor cylinder through the at least one inlet gas connection is compressible within the cylinder by the piston and dischargeable from the cylinder through the at least one outlet gas connection. A method of compressing gas is also provided and comprises the steps of operating a motor coupled to a rack and pinion system, wherein the rack and pinion system is coupled to a piston and piston rod within a compressor cylinder.