Kentucky Median
$97,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#5 of 35
40 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in Kentucky?
Chemical Plant and System Operators working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $97,550 per year, or about $46.90 per hour. That is 25% above the national median of $78,120 for this occupation.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $72,820 while the top 10% make $135,500 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,530 and $112,920 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,820 | $35.01 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,530 | $38.72 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $97,550 | $46.90 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $112,920 | $54.29 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,500 | $65.14 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 5th 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 $100,060Maryland $95,150Alabama $91,610Arkansas $91,610California $87,550Oregon $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 Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($97,550) 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 Kentucky?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Kentucky is $97,550 per year, or about $46.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $72,820 at the entry level to $135,500 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 25% more than the national median of $78,120. Kentucky ranks 5th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $97,550 a year. About 40 Chemical Plant and System Operators are employed in Kentucky. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.