Washington Median
$60,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#30 of 35
350 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in Washington?
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Washington take home a median of $60,120 annually — roughly $28.90 an hour — which runs 23% below the national median of $78,120.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $45,760 while the top 10% make $114,010 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,670 and $101,400 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,670 | $23.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,120 | $28.90 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $101,400 | $48.75 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,010 | $54.81 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 30th 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 $62,980North Carolina $62,920Colorado $62,870Wisconsin $62,720Iowa $60,440South Dakota $59,970Missouri $55,470Georgia $49,230Indiana $49,110Tennessee $45,830
Working as Chemical Plant and System Operators in Washington
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 Washington pay ($60,120) 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 Washington?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Washington is $60,120 per year, or about $28.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,760 at the entry level to $114,010 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 23% less than the national median of $78,120. Washington ranks 30th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,120 a year. About 350 Chemical Plant and System Operators are employed in Washington. 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 Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.