Virginia Median
$63,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#24 of 35
760 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in Virginia?
Chemical Plant and System Operators working in Virginia earn a median salary of $63,000 per year, or about $30.29 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $78,120 for this occupation.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $36,330 while the top 10% make $84,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,950 and $77,930 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,330 | $17.47 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,950 | $23.53 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,000 | $30.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,930 | $37.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,800 | $40.77 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 24th 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 $63,460New 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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($63,000) 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 Virginia?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Virginia is $63,000 per year, or about $30.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,330 at the entry level to $84,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 19% less than the national median of $78,120. Virginia ranks 24th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,000 a year. About 760 Chemical Plant and System Operators are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.