Chemical Plant and System Operators
Chemical Plant and System Operators (SOC 51-8091) earn a median $78,120 a year ($37.56 an hour) in the United States, with 16,610 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Florida.
What chemical plant and system operators do
Chemical plant and system operators control the processes that turn raw materials into chemical products. They use panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment to run whole systems of machines. They monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, and warning lights, and move control settings to change reaction speed, product quality, or yield. They draw product samples and run quality control tests to confirm standards are met. Operators also patrol the work area to inspect towers, storage tanks, scrubbers, and driers and to make sure solutions in tanks are not in danger of overflowing. In an emergency they regulate or shut down equipment as directed by supervisors. Process conditions, test results, and instrument readings are logged. Chemical equipment operators, who tend specific units rather than whole processes, are classified separately.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, a high school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education reported by workers in this occupation.
Also called: Ammonia Still Operator, Ammonia Technician, Badger Distiller Operator, Bucket Wash Operator, Chemical Operator.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $23.27 | $29.01 | $37.56 | $47.44 | $53.81 | $38.45 | 16,610 |
| Annual | $48,400 | $60,330 | $78,120 | $98,660 | $111,930 | $79,970 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where chemical plant and system operators earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Florida | Hourly | $31.16 | $36.64 | $61.94 | $64.77 | $65.33 | $52.45 | 60 | 0.01 | 0.06 |
| Annual | $64,820 | $76,200 | $128,830 | $134,730 | $135,880 | $109,100 | ||||
| Wyoming | Hourly | $42.48 | $47.10 | $51.83 | $54.99 | $54.99 | $50.36 | 300 | 1.08 | 10.12 |
| Annual | $88,360 | $97,960 | $107,810 | $114,380 | $114,380 | $104,740 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $25.22 | $35.51 | $49.40 | $56.46 | $59.72 | $45.97 | 2,360 | 0.17 | 1.57 |
| Annual | $52,460 | $73,850 | $102,750 | $117,430 | $124,220 | $95,620 | ||||
| Louisiana | Hourly | $30.23 | $39.28 | $48.10 | $50.27 | $58.92 | $45.90 | 3,400 | 1.76 | 16.43 |
| Annual | $62,890 | $81,690 | $100,060 | $104,570 | $122,560 | $95,460 | ||||
| Kentucky | Hourly | $35.01 | $38.72 | $46.90 | $54.29 | $65.15 | $47.95 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.19 |
| Annual | $72,820 | $80,530 | $97,550 | $112,920 | $135,500 | $99,730 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Louisiana | Hourly | $30.23 | $39.28 | $48.10 | $50.27 | $58.92 | $45.90 | 3,400 | 1.76 | 16.43 |
| Annual | $62,890 | $81,690 | $100,060 | $104,570 | $122,560 | $95,460 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $25.22 | $35.51 | $49.40 | $56.46 | $59.72 | $45.97 | 2,360 | 0.17 | 1.57 |
| Annual | $52,460 | $73,850 | $102,750 | $117,430 | $124,220 | $95,620 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $35.53 | $39.05 | $42.09 | $49.55 | $53.81 | $43.88 | 780 | 0.04 | 0.40 |
| Annual | $73,900 | $81,210 | $87,550 | $103,060 | $111,930 | $91,260 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $26.33 | $30.89 | $33.71 | $38.91 | $43.47 | $35.02 | 770 | 0.13 | 1.19 |
| Annual | $54,770 | $64,260 | $70,110 | $80,940 | $90,420 | $72,840 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $17.47 | $23.54 | $30.29 | $37.47 | $40.77 | $30.93 | 760 | 0.19 | 1.74 |
| Annual | $36,330 | $48,950 | $63,000 | $77,930 | $84,800 | $64,330 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | Hourly | $43.99 | $48.63 | $56.46 | $56.47 | $57.37 | $51.81 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $91,490 | $101,150 | $117,430 | $117,460 | $119,330 | $107,760 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $41.54 | $41.55 | $53.80 | $53.81 | $53.81 | $49.57 | 300 | 0.13 | 1.18 |
| Annual | $86,410 | $86,430 | $111,900 | $111,930 | $111,930 | $103,110 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $28.81 | $39.03 | $50.97 | $58.44 | $60.06 | $47.61 | 1,420 | 0.43 | 4.05 |
| Annual | $59,920 | $81,180 | $106,020 | $121,560 | $124,930 | $99,020 | ||||
| Baton Rouge, LA | Hourly | $35.17 | $43.80 | $50.20 | $50.27 | $58.94 | $47.68 | 1,720 | 4.21 | 39.39 |
| Annual | $73,150 | $91,100 | $104,410 | $104,570 | $122,600 | $99,170 | ||||
| Lake Charles, LA | Hourly | $24.47 | $38.66 | $49.19 | $58.43 | $58.43 | $47.59 | 740 | 7.32 | 68.50 |
| Annual | $50,910 | $80,420 | $102,310 | $121,530 | $121,530 | $98,990 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Baton Rouge, LA | Hourly | $35.17 | $43.80 | $50.20 | $50.27 | $58.94 | $47.68 | 1,720 | 4.21 | 39.39 |
| Annual | $73,150 | $91,100 | $104,410 | $104,570 | $122,600 | $99,170 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $28.81 | $39.03 | $50.97 | $58.44 | $60.06 | $47.61 | 1,420 | 0.43 | 4.05 |
| Annual | $59,920 | $81,180 | $106,020 | $121,560 | $124,930 | $99,020 | ||||
| Lake Charles, LA | Hourly | $24.47 | $38.66 | $49.19 | $58.43 | $58.43 | $47.59 | 740 | 7.32 | 68.50 |
| Annual | $50,910 | $80,420 | $102,310 | $121,530 | $121,530 | $98,990 | ||||
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | Hourly | $22.35 | $34.38 | $44.36 | $46.27 | $59.99 | $41.74 | 460 | 1.03 | 9.59 |
| Annual | $46,480 | $71,510 | $92,260 | $96,240 | $124,770 | $86,810 | ||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $31.19 | $38.80 | $39.50 | $47.40 | $47.41 | $40.31 | 410 | 0.15 | 1.43 |
| Annual | $64,870 | $80,710 | $82,170 | $98,590 | $98,600 | $83,840 | ||||
Top industries employing chemical plant and system operators
Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) employ 68.3% of chemical plant and system operators nationally (11,340 jobs) at a median $82,200 a year ($39.52 an hour), followed by Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (8.5%) and Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) (3.9%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) NAICS 3250A1 | 11,340 | 68.3% | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing NAICS 325400 | 1,410 | 8.5% | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) NAICS 4240A2 | 650 | 3.9% | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services NAICS 541700 | 640 | 3.9% | $67,190 | $32.30 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) NAICS 3250A2 | 630 | 3.8% | $79,260 | $38.11 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (16,610). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $70,200 for chemical plant and system operators in May 2021 and $78,120 in May 2025, with employment of 21,740 and 16,610.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $70,200 | $33.75 | 21,740 |
| May 2022 | $82,670 | $39.75 | 18,710 |
| May 2023 | $80,030 | $38.48 | 17,980 |
| May 2024 | $73,540 | $35.35 | 17,840 |
| May 2025 | $78,120 | $37.56 | 16,610 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
35 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida profile | $61.94 | $128,830 | $64,820 | $135,880 | 60 | 0.01 | 0.06 |
| 2 | Wyoming profile | $51.83 | $107,810 | $88,360 | $114,380 | 300 | 1.08 | 10.12 |
| 3 | Texas profile | $49.40 | $102,750 | $52,460 | $124,220 | 2,360 | 0.17 | 1.57 |
| 4 | Louisiana profile | $48.10 | $100,060 | $62,890 | $122,560 | 3,400 | 1.76 | 16.43 |
| 5 | Kentucky profile | $46.90 | $97,550 | $72,820 | $135,500 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.19 |
| 6 | Maryland profile | $45.75 | $95,150 | $62,390 | $99,760 | 290 | 0.11 | 0.98 |
| 7 | Alabama profile | $44.04 | $91,610 | $56,500 | $101,800 | 230 | 0.11 | 1.02 |
| 8 | Arkansas profile | $44.04 | $91,610 | $74,420 | $97,280 | 240 | 0.18 | 1.72 |
| 9 | California profile | $42.09 | $87,550 | $73,900 | $111,930 | 780 | 0.04 | 0.40 |
| 10 | Oregon profile | $41.88 | $87,110 | $68,550 | $102,330 | 120 | 0.06 | 0.56 |
| 11 | New Jersey profile | $41.74 | $86,820 | $62,760 | $115,500 | 330 | 0.08 | 0.73 |
| 12 | Massachusetts profile | $40.25 | $83,710 | $64,870 | $98,630 | 570 | 0.16 | 1.47 |
| 13 | Idaho profile | $39.90 | $82,980 | $54,740 | $97,320 | 60 | 0.07 | 0.69 |
| 14 | West Virginia profile | $39.28 | $81,710 | $44,210 | $90,250 | 380 | 0.54 | 5.02 |
| 15 | New Mexico profile | $34.91 | $72,610 | $70,190 | $75,350 | ** | ** | ** |
| 16 | Michigan profile | $34.82 | $72,430 | $31,890 | $102,190 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.08 |
| 17 | Mississippi profile | $34.17 | $71,080 | $46,920 | $103,400 | 320 | 0.27 | 2.56 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania profile | $33.71 | $70,110 | $54,770 | $90,420 | 770 | 0.13 | 1.19 |
| 19 | South Carolina profile | $32.94 | $68,510 | $49,080 | $75,120 | 610 | 0.27 | 2.49 |
| 20 | Ohio profile | $32.49 | $67,580 | $51,170 | $75,890 | 240 | 0.04 | 0.40 |
| 21 | Minnesota profile | $31.97 | $66,500 | $50,010 | $81,680 | 150 | 0.05 | 0.47 |
| 22 | Illinois profile | $31.59 | $65,710 | $60,580 | $83,690 | 160 | 0.03 | 0.24 |
| 23 | Utah profile | $30.51 | $63,460 | $52,970 | $65,640 | 320 | 0.19 | 1.73 |
| 24 | Virginia profile | $30.29 | $63,000 | $36,330 | $84,800 | 760 | 0.19 | 1.74 |
| 25 | New York profile | $30.28 | $62,980 | $55,070 | $90,690 | 120 | 0.01 | 0.11 |
| 26 | North Carolina profile | $30.25 | $62,920 | $50,790 | $78,580 | 660 | 0.13 | 1.26 |
| 27 | Colorado profile | $30.23 | $62,870 | $54,340 | $81,550 | 400 | 0.14 | 1.30 |
| 28 | Wisconsin profile | $30.15 | $62,720 | $49,180 | $80,060 | 90 | 0.03 | 0.29 |
| 29 | Iowa profile | $29.06 | $60,440 | $46,220 | $65,850 | 490 | 0.31 | 2.93 |
| 30 | Washington profile | $28.90 | $60,120 | $45,760 | $114,010 | 350 | 0.10 | 0.92 |
| 31 | South Dakota profile | $28.83 | $59,970 | $49,790 | $65,640 | 180 | 0.38 | 3.60 |
| 32 | Missouri profile | $26.67 | $55,470 | $46,590 | $78,040 | 450 | 0.16 | 1.45 |
| 33 | Georgia profile | $23.67 | $49,230 | $40,710 | $71,020 | 220 | 0.05 | 0.43 |
| 34 | Indiana profile | $23.61 | $49,110 | $39,140 | $67,470 | 320 | 0.10 | 0.94 |
| 35 | Tennessee profile | $22.03 | $45,830 | $41,620 | $74,850 | 350 | 0.11 | 1.00 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (51-8090), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Production Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 51-8091 Chemical Plant and System Operators.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 51-8091, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 51-8091.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.