How much does a chemical plant and system operator make?
The median chemical plant and system operator in the United States earns $78,120 per year, about $37.56 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all chemical plant and system operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-8091.
Chemical plant and system operator salary range
Pay for chemical plant and system operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,400 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $111,930. The average (mean) wage of $79,970 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,400 | $23.27 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $60,330 | $29.01 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,120 | $37.56 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $98,660 | $47.44 | |
| 90th percentile | $111,930 | $53.81 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for chemical plant and system operators (SOC 51-8091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Chemical plant and system operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Chemical plant and system operators earn the most in Florida at $128,830 a year, and the least in Tennessee at $45,830. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $128,830 | 60 |
| Wyoming | $107,810 | 300 |
| Texas | $102,750 | 2,360 |
| Louisiana | $100,060 | 3,400 |
| Kentucky | $97,550 | 40 |
| Maryland | $95,150 | 290 |
| Alabama | $91,610 | 230 |
| Arkansas | $91,610 | 240 |
| California | $87,550 | 780 |
| Oregon | $87,110 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $86,820 | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $83,710 | 570 |
| Idaho | $82,980 | 60 |
| West Virginia | $81,710 | 380 |
| New Mexico | $72,610 | N/A |
| Michigan | $72,430 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $71,080 | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,110 | 770 |
| South Carolina | $68,510 | 610 |
| Ohio | $67,580 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $66,500 | 150 |
| Illinois | $65,710 | 160 |
| Utah | $63,460 | 320 |
| Virginia | $63,000 | 760 |
| New York | $62,980 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $62,920 | 660 |
| Colorado | $62,870 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $62,720 | 90 |
| Iowa | $60,440 | 490 |
| Washington | $60,120 | 350 |
| South Dakota | $59,970 | 180 |
| Missouri | $55,470 | 450 |
| Georgia | $49,230 | 220 |
| Indiana | $49,110 | 320 |
| Tennessee | $45,830 | 350 |
State median wages for chemical plant and system operators (SOC 51-8091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for chemical plant and system operators
The BLS projects employment of chemical plant and system operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 16,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 15,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,300 openings a year for chemical plant and system operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a chemical plant and system operator
The typical entry-level education for chemical plant and system operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a chemical plant and system operator earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Florida, $128,830) and the lowest (Tennessee, $45,830) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 16,610 people work as chemical plant and system operators in the United States. At $78,120 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Chemical plant and system operator salary FAQ
How much does a chemical plant and system operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a chemical plant and system operator is $37.56. The middle half of chemical plant and system operators earn between $29.01 and $47.44 per hour.
What is the highest chemical plant and system operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of chemical plant and system operators earn more than $111,930 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a chemical plant and system operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a chemical plant and system operator is $78,120. The average (mean) wage of $79,970 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a chemical plant and system operator a well paid job?
At $78,120 a year, a chemical plant and system operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 16,610 people work as chemical plant and system operators in the United States.
Which state pays chemical plant and system operators the most?
Florida has the highest median salary for chemical plant and system operators at $128,830 a year. Wyoming ($107,810) and Texas ($102,750) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a chemical plant and system operator a good career?
Employment of chemical plant and system operators is projected to shrink 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a chemical plant and system operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for chemical plant and system operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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