Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Colorado
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Colorado earn a median of $50,370 a year ($24.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,620 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $58,040. Colorado ranks 36th of 47 states for chemical equipment operators and tenders pay. There are 0.32 chemical equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $54,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,630 | $20.49 |
| 25th percentile | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Median | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| 75th percentile | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,620 | $35.40 |
| Average (mean) | $54,540 | $26.22 |
Half of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,197.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,098.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,937.31 |
| Weekly | $968.65 |
| Hourly | $24.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $51,230 | 190 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $50,900 | 110 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $50,110 | 370 |
| Greeley, CO | $45,980 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for chemical equipment operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $101,590 |
| Alabama | $80,330 |
| Montana | $79,570 |
| Louisiana | $78,580 |
| Idaho | $77,100 |
| Rhode Island | $69,630 |
| Washington | $67,300 |
| West Virginia | $66,060 |
| Arkansas | $64,440 |
| Mississippi | $64,360 |
See Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,350 | $28.06 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $55,270 | $26.57 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $53,590 | $25.76 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $52,360 | $25.17 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $61,220 | $29.44 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $49,530 | $23.81 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Colorado?
The median salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Colorado is $50,370 a year, or $24.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Colorado?
The top 10% of chemical equipment operators and tenders in Colorado earn at least $73,620 a year. The top 25% earn $58,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,630 a year, and a quarter of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn $46,110 or less.
How many chemical equipment operators and tenders work in Colorado?
About 910 chemical equipment operators and tenders are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.