Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for chemical equipment operators and tenders in the United States was $58,040 ($27.90 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
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 survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers — $48,520/yr
- Construction Laborers — $47,120/yr
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $83,050/yr
- Project Management Specialists — $102,320/yr
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $72,040/yr
- Light Truck Drivers — $44,860/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 2025.
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.