California Median
$87,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.09
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#9 of 35
780 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in California?
Chemical Plant and System Operators working in California earn a median salary of $87,550 per year, or about $42.09 per hour. That is 12% above the national median of $78,120 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $73,900 while the top 10% make $111,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,210 and $103,060 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $81,210 | $39.04 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $87,550 | $42.09 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $103,060 | $49.55 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,930 | $53.81 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 9th out of 35 states and territories for Chemical Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in other states
Florida $128,830Wyoming $107,810Texas $102,750Louisiana $100,060Kentucky $97,550Maryland $95,150Alabama $91,610Arkansas $91,610Oregon $87,110New Jersey $86,820Massachusetts $83,710Idaho $82,980West Virginia $81,710New Mexico $72,610Michigan $72,430Mississippi $71,080Pennsylvania $70,110South Carolina $68,510Ohio $67,580Minnesota $66,500Illinois $65,710Utah $63,460Virginia $63,000New York $62,980North Carolina $62,920Colorado $62,870Wisconsin $62,720Iowa $60,440Washington $60,120South Dakota $59,970Missouri $55,470Georgia $49,230Indiana $49,110Tennessee $45,830
Working as Chemical Plant and System Operators in California
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Chemical Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($87,550) 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 Plant and System Operators make in California?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in California is $87,550 per year, or about $42.09 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $73,900 at the entry level to $111,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 12% more than the national median of $78,120. California ranks 9th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $87,550 a year. About 780 Chemical Plant and System Operators 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 Plant and System Operators 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.