How much does a chemical operator make?
a year · about $28 an hour
A typical chemical operator in the United States makes $58,040 a year, about $28 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They weigh and mix ingredients, start pumps and reactors, and watch gauges to keep each batch at the right temperature and pressure. They test samples, record readings, and patrol for leaks or equipment trouble.
Did you know? Chemical operators can help make everyday foods like ketchup and coffee creamer—not just plastics or industrial chemicals.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $37,440 and $92,250How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school or earn a GED, then apply for a plant job; employers usually train new hires on the job. Many start around 18, and a DOL-approved Chemical Operator III apprenticeship is another route; requirements vary.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experienced operators and workers with training or certificates valued by their employer may earn more. Pay also varies by plant industry, employer, location, duties, and hours; overtime or shift premiums can change pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Alabama ($80,330), lowest in Utah ($39,020).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a chemical worker averages $36,665. Chemical operator salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,440 | $58,040 | $92,250 | about 140,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $80,330 | about 3,000 |
| Louisiana | $78,580 | about 6,000 |
| Idaho | $77,100 | about 550 |
| Washington | $67,300 | about 2,000 |
| West Virginia | $66,060 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels. Excludes “Chemical Plant and System Operators” (51-8091).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes519011.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-9011.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-9011.00
- www.careeronestop.org/Videos/careeronestop-videos.aspx?videocode=51901100
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY