Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary by State
The national median pay for chemical plant and system operators is $78,120 a year. By state, it ranges from $45,830 in Tennessee to $128,830 in Florida.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $48,400
- 25th percentile
- $60,330
- Median
- $78,120
- 75th percentile
- $98,660
- Top 10%
- $111,930
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 16,610 jobs.
Median pay in 35 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $128,830 | +65% | $64,820 | $135,880 | 60 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $107,810 | +38% | $88,360 | $114,380 | 300 |
| 3 | Texas | $102,750 | +32% | $52,460 | $124,220 | 2,360 |
| 4 | Louisiana | $100,060 | +28% | $62,890 | $122,560 | 3,400 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $97,550 | +25% | $72,820 | $135,500 | 40 |
| 6 | Maryland | $95,150 | +22% | $62,390 | $99,760 | 290 |
| 7 | Alabama | $91,610 | +17% | $56,500 | $101,800 | 230 |
| 8 | Arkansas | $91,610 | +17% | $74,420 | $97,280 | 240 |
| 9 | California | $87,550 | +12% | $73,900 | $111,930 | 780 |
| 10 | Oregon | $87,110 | +12% | $68,550 | $102,330 | 120 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $86,820 | +11% | $62,760 | $115,500 | 330 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $83,710 | +7% | $64,870 | $98,630 | 570 |
| 13 | Idaho | $82,980 | +6% | $54,740 | $97,320 | 60 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $81,710 | +5% | $44,210 | $90,250 | 380 |
| 15 | New Mexico | $72,610 | −7% | $70,190 | $75,350 | Not published |
| 16 | Michigan | $72,430 | −7% | $31,890 | $102,190 | 40 |
| 17 | Mississippi | $71,080 | −9% | $46,920 | $103,400 | 320 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $70,110 | −10% | $54,770 | $90,420 | 770 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $68,510 | −12% | $49,080 | $75,120 | 610 |
| 20 | Ohio | $67,580 | −13% | $51,170 | $75,890 | 240 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $66,500 | −15% | $50,010 | $81,680 | 150 |
| 22 | Illinois | $65,710 | −16% | $60,580 | $83,690 | 160 |
| 23 | Utah | $63,460 | −19% | $52,970 | $65,640 | 320 |
| 24 | Virginia | $63,000 | −19% | $36,330 | $84,800 | 760 |
| 25 | New York | $62,980 | −19% | $55,070 | $90,690 | 120 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $62,920 | −19% | $50,790 | $78,580 | 660 |
| 27 | Colorado | $62,870 | −20% | $54,340 | $81,550 | 400 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $62,720 | −20% | $49,180 | $80,060 | 90 |
| 29 | Iowa | $60,440 | −23% | $46,220 | $65,850 | 490 |
| 30 | Washington | $60,120 | −23% | $45,760 | $114,010 | 350 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $59,970 | −23% | $49,790 | $65,640 | 180 |
| 32 | Missouri | $55,470 | −29% | $46,590 | $78,040 | 450 |
| 33 | Georgia | $49,230 | −37% | $40,710 | $71,020 | 220 |
| 34 | Indiana | $49,110 | −37% | $39,140 | $67,470 | 320 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $45,830 | −41% | $41,620 | $74,850 | 350 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary questions
Which state pays chemical plant and system operators the most?
Florida, with a median of $128,830 a year (+65% vs. the national median of $78,120). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays chemical plant and system operators the least?
Tennessee, with a median of $45,830 a year (−41% vs. national).
Where do most chemical plant and system operators work?
Louisiana has the most jobs, about 3,400, with a median of $100,060.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.