Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for chemical plant and system operators in the United States was $78,120 ($37.56 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| 25th | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Median | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| 75th | $98,660 | $47.44 |
| 90th | $111,930 | $53.81 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-8091
- Total U.S. employment: 16,610
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Chemical Plant and System Operators 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 | $91,610 | $44.04 | +17.3% | 230 |
| Arkansas | $91,610 | $44.04 | +17.3% | 240 |
| California | $87,550 | $42.09 | +12.1% | 780 |
| Colorado | $62,870 | $30.23 | -19.5% | 400 |
| Florida | $128,830 | $61.94 | +64.9% | 60 |
| Georgia | $49,230 | $23.67 | -37.0% | 220 |
| Idaho | $82,980 | $39.90 | +6.2% | 60 |
| Illinois | $65,710 | $31.59 | -15.9% | 160 |
| Indiana | $49,110 | $23.61 | -37.1% | 320 |
| Iowa | $60,440 | $29.06 | -22.6% | 490 |
| Kentucky | $97,550 | $46.90 | +24.9% | 40 |
| Louisiana | $100,060 | $48.10 | +28.1% | 3,400 |
| Maryland | $95,150 | $45.75 | +21.8% | 290 |
| Massachusetts | $83,710 | $40.25 | +7.2% | 570 |
| Michigan | $72,430 | $34.82 | -7.3% | 40 |
| Minnesota | $66,500 | $31.97 | -14.9% | 150 |
| Mississippi | $71,080 | $34.17 | -9.0% | 320 |
| Missouri | $55,470 | $26.67 | -29.0% | 450 |
| New Jersey | $86,820 | $41.74 | +11.1% | 330 |
| New Mexico | $72,610 | $34.91 | -7.1% | 0 |
| New York | $62,980 | $30.28 | -19.4% | 120 |
| North Carolina | $62,920 | $30.25 | -19.5% | 660 |
| Ohio | $67,580 | $32.49 | -13.5% | 240 |
| Oregon | $87,110 | $41.88 | +11.5% | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,110 | $33.71 | -10.3% | 770 |
| South Carolina | $68,510 | $32.94 | -12.3% | 610 |
| South Dakota | $59,970 | $28.83 | -23.2% | 180 |
| Tennessee | $45,830 | $22.03 | -41.3% | 350 |
| Texas | $102,750 | $49.40 | +31.5% | 2,360 |
| Utah | $63,460 | $30.51 | -18.8% | 320 |
| Virginia | $63,000 | $30.29 | -19.4% | 760 |
| Washington | $60,120 | $28.90 | -23.0% | 350 |
| West Virginia | $81,710 | $39.28 | +4.6% | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $62,720 | $30.15 | -19.7% | 90 |
| Wyoming | $107,810 | $51.83 | +38.0% | 300 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,890/yr
- Managers, All Other — $141,900/yr
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $64,370/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $79,860/yr
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $48,570/yr
- Medical and Health Services Managers — $123,860/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for chemical plant and system operators?
The median annual wage for chemical plant and system operators is $78,120 ($37.56 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays chemical plant and system operators 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 plant and system operators are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 16,610 chemical plant and system operators employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do chemical plant and system operators make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $37.56. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.