Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Lafayette, LA
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $49,380 a year ($23.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,580 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $58,040. Pay here is 37% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $78,580. There are 0.57 chemical equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $53,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,800 | $12.40 |
| 25th percentile | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Median | $49,380 | $23.74 |
| 75th percentile | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,580 | $47.88 |
| Average (mean) | $53,560 | $25.75 |
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 | $4,115 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,057.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,899.23 |
| Weekly | $949.62 |
| Hourly | $23.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $94,450 | 1,330 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $93,920 | 2,500 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $74,220 | 1,320 |
| Hammond, LA | $45,910 | 40 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $45,110 | 230 |
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 or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,750 | $27.77 |
| Machinist | $59,830 | $28.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,720 | $33.52 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $43,830 | $21.07 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,360 | $17.48 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, LA
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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $49,380 a year, or $23.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of chemical equipment operators and tenders in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $99,580 a year. The top 25% earn $61,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,800 a year, and a quarter of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn $29,120 or less.
How many chemical equipment operators and tenders work in Lafayette, LA?
About 100 chemical equipment operators and tenders are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.