North Carolina Median
$62,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#26 of 35
660 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in North Carolina?
Chemical Plant and System Operators in North Carolina take home a median of $62,920 annually — roughly $30.25 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $78,120.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $50,790 while the top 10% make $78,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,880 and $66,370 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,790 | $24.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,880 | $24.94 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,920 | $30.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $66,370 | $31.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,580 | $37.78 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 26th 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 $87,110New 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 $62,980Colorado $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($62,920) 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 North Carolina?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in North Carolina is $62,920 per year, or about $30.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,790 at the entry level to $78,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 19% less than the national median of $78,120. North Carolina ranks 26th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,920 a year. About 660 Chemical Plant and System Operators are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.