Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$58,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $58,040
State Rank
#22 of 47
5,670 employed here

How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make in California?

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders working in California earn a median salary of $58,300 per year, or about $28.03 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $58,040 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $42,160 while the top 10% make $80,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,990 and $72,690 a year.

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,160$20.27
25th percentile (early career)$46,990$22.59
50th percentile (median)$58,300$28.03
75th percentile (experienced)$72,690$34.95
90th percentile (top earners)$80,620$38.76

How California compares

California ranks 22nd out of 47 states and territories for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Wyoming$101,590
2Alabama$80,330
3Montana$79,570
4Louisiana$78,580
5Idaho$77,100

Working as Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in California

Nationally, about 140,000 people work as Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($58,300) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make in California?
The median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in California is $58,300 per year, or about $28.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,160 at the entry level to $80,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders about 0% more than the national median of $58,040. California ranks 22nd out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $58,300 a year. About 5,670 Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.