Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $58,040 · Median hourly: $27.90 · Employment: 139,630
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 25th | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Median | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| 75th | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| 90th | $92,250 | $44.35 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-9011
- Total U.S. employment: 139,630
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
A closer look
The mean wage of $60,710 sits 4.6% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $37,440, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $92,250 — a 2.5x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $80,330 | $38.62 | +38.4% | 3,280 |
| Arizona | $45,790 | $22.01 | -21.1% | 1,330 |
| Arkansas | $64,440 | $30.98 | +11.0% | 1,160 |
| California | $58,300 | $28.03 | +0.4% | 5,670 |
| Colorado | $50,370 | $24.22 | -13.2% | 910 |
| Connecticut | $58,490 | $28.12 | +0.8% | 860 |
| Delaware | $63,200 | $30.39 | +8.9% | 1,160 |
| Florida | $44,360 | $21.33 | -23.6% | 4,270 |
| Georgia | $49,660 | $23.87 | -14.4% | 4,330 |
| Hawaii | $47,840 | $23.00 | -17.6% | 30 |
| Idaho | $77,100 | $37.07 | +32.8% | 550 |
| Illinois | $61,940 | $29.78 | +6.7% | 5,580 |
| Indiana | $56,800 | $27.31 | -2.1% | 6,240 |
| Iowa | $57,550 | $27.67 | -0.8% | 2,010 |
| Kansas | $54,890 | $26.39 | -5.4% | 1,920 |
| Kentucky | $57,530 | $27.66 | -0.9% | 3,590 |
| Louisiana | $78,580 | $37.78 | +35.4% | 6,430 |
| Maine | $57,240 | $27.52 | -1.4% | 250 |
| Maryland | $59,850 | $28.78 | +3.1% | 1,220 |
| Massachusetts | $56,920 | $27.37 | -1.9% | 2,860 |
| Michigan | $50,060 | $24.07 | -13.7% | 5,210 |
| Minnesota | $53,340 | $25.64 | -8.1% | 1,170 |
| Mississippi | $64,360 | $30.94 | +10.9% | 990 |
| Missouri | $50,640 | $24.35 | -12.7% | 2,790 |
| Montana | $79,570 | $38.25 | +37.1% | 40 |
| Nebraska | $59,750 | $28.73 | +2.9% | 1,020 |
| Nevada | $58,520 | $28.14 | +0.8% | 210 |
| New Hampshire | $49,440 | $23.77 | -14.8% | 350 |
| New Jersey | $56,500 | $27.17 | -2.7% | 8,560 |
| New Mexico | $60,910 | $29.28 | +4.9% | 170 |
| New York | $49,640 | $23.87 | -14.5% | 4,270 |
| North Carolina | $49,650 | $23.87 | -14.5% | 5,260 |
| Ohio | $60,550 | $29.11 | +4.3% | 7,830 |
| Oklahoma | $50,160 | $24.12 | -13.6% | 790 |
| Oregon | $56,510 | $27.17 | -2.6% | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,630 | $27.22 | -2.4% | 6,230 |
| Rhode Island | $69,630 | $33.48 | +20.0% | 430 |
| South Carolina | $56,240 | $27.04 | -3.1% | 4,040 |
| South Dakota | $48,830 | $23.48 | -15.9% | 230 |
| Tennessee | $60,960 | $29.31 | +5.0% | 3,860 |
| Texas | $60,150 | $28.92 | +3.6% | 20,880 |
| Utah | $39,020 | $18.76 | -32.8% | 2,610 |
| Virginia | $59,970 | $28.83 | +3.3% | 2,040 |
| Washington | $67,300 | $32.36 | +16.0% | 1,720 |
| West Virginia | $66,060 | $31.76 | +13.8% | 1,190 |
| Wisconsin | $50,870 | $24.46 | -12.4% | 2,730 |
| Wyoming | $101,590 | $48.84 | +75.0% | 290 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders?
The median annual wage for chemical equipment operators and tenders is $58,040 ($27.90 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays chemical equipment operators and tenders the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many chemical equipment operators and tenders are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 139,630 chemical equipment operators and tenders employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do chemical equipment operators and tenders make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $27.90. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.