New Jersey Median
$86,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#11 of 35
330 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in New Jersey?
Chemical Plant and System Operators working in New Jersey earn a median salary of $86,820 per year, or about $41.74 per hour. That is 11% above the national median of $78,120 for this occupation.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $62,760 while the top 10% make $115,500 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,570 and $94,920 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,760 | $30.17 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $72,570 | $34.89 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,820 | $41.74 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $94,920 | $45.63 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,500 | $55.53 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 11th 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 $91,610California $87,550Oregon $87,110Massachusetts $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 New Jersey
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 New Jersey pay ($86,820) 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 New Jersey?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in New Jersey is $86,820 per year, or about $41.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,760 at the entry level to $115,500 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 11% more than the national median of $78,120. New Jersey ranks 11th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $86,820 a year. About 330 Chemical Plant and System Operators are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.