Median Salary
$58,040
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$27.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$92,250
entry level starts ~$37,440
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 140,000 employed
How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make?
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders earn a median annual salary of $58,040 in the United States, which works out to roughly $27.90 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $37,440 at the entry level and $92,250 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $45,970 and $74,080 a year.
That is $3,350 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary range by percentile
Half of all Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders earn between $45,970 and $74,080 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,970 | $22.10 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,040 | $27.90 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,080 | $35.62 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,250 | $44.35 |
|
Highest-paying states for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Wyoming leads the country for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay at $101,590 a year, followed by Alabama ($80,330) and Montana ($79,570). At the other end, Utah posts the lowest median at $39,020 — a gap of $62,570 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 47 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Wyoming $101,590Alabama $80,330Montana $79,570Louisiana $78,580Idaho $77,100Rhode Island $69,630Washington $67,300West Virginia $66,060Arkansas $64,440Mississippi $64,360Delaware $63,200Illinois $61,940Tennessee $60,960New Mexico $60,910Ohio $60,550Texas $60,150Virginia $59,970Maryland $59,850Nebraska $59,750Nevada $58,520Connecticut $58,490California $58,300Iowa $57,550Kentucky $57,530Maine $57,240Massachusetts $56,920Indiana $56,800Pennsylvania $56,630Oregon $56,510New Jersey $56,500South Carolina $56,240Kansas $54,890Minnesota $53,340Wisconsin $50,870Missouri $50,640Colorado $50,370Oklahoma $50,160Michigan $50,060Georgia $49,660North Carolina $49,650New York $49,640New Hampshire $49,440South Dakota $48,830Hawaii $47,840Arizona $45,790Florida $44,360Utah $39,020
Workforce and education
About 140,000 people work as Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $60,710 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make in the United States?
The median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in the United States is $58,040 per year, or about $27.90 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,440, while the top 10% of earners make $92,250 or more.
How does Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders median of $58,040 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders the most?
Wyoming is the highest-paying state for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders, with a median salary of $101,590 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders work in the United States?
About 140,000 people were employed as Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.