Median Salary
$78,120
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$37.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$111,930
entry level starts ~$48,400
Pay Grade
B+
strong pay · 17,000 employed
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make?
Chemical Plant and System Operators earn a median annual salary of $78,120 in the United States, which works out to roughly $37.56 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $48,400 at the entry level and $111,930 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $60,330 and $98,660 a year.
That is $16,730 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range by percentile
Half of all Chemical Plant and System Operators earn between $60,330 and $98,660 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,400 | $23.27 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,330 | $29.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,120 | $37.56 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $98,660 | $47.43 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,930 | $53.81 |
|
Highest-paying states for Chemical Plant and System Operators
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Florida leads the country for Chemical Plant and System Operators pay at $128,830 a year, followed by Wyoming ($107,810) and Texas ($102,750). At the other end, Tennessee posts the lowest median at $45,830 — a gap of $83,000 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 35 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $60,440Washington $60,120South Dakota $59,970Missouri $55,470Georgia $49,230Indiana $49,110Tennessee $45,830
Workforce and education
About 17,000 people work as Chemical Plant and System Operators in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in the United States?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in the United States is $78,120 per year, or about $37.56 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,400, while the top 10% of earners make $111,930 or more.
How does Chemical Plant and System Operators pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B+ (strong pay), the Chemical Plant and System Operators median of $78,120 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Chemical Plant and System Operators the most?
Florida is the highest-paying state for Chemical Plant and System Operators, with a median salary of $128,830 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Chemical Plant and System Operators need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Chemical Plant and System Operators work in the United States?
About 17,000 people were employed as Chemical Plant and System Operators in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.