Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Virginia
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Virginia earn a median of $59,970 a year ($28.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,910 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $58,040. Virginia ranks 17th of 47 states for chemical equipment operators and tenders pay. There are 0.49 chemical equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $59,350, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| 25th percentile | $49,250 | $23.68 |
| Median | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| 75th percentile | $65,030 | $31.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,910 | $36.98 |
| Average (mean) | $59,350 | $28.54 |
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 | $4,997.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,498.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,306.54 |
| Weekly | $1,153.27 |
| Hourly | $28.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $72,660 | 590 |
| Richmond, VA | $61,840 | 760 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $50,840 | 70 |
| Roanoke, VA | $48,770 | 30 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,340 | $18.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,790 | $21.54 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $45,410 | $21.83 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,560 | $21.90 |
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 Virginia?
The median salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Virginia is $59,970 a year, or $28.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Virginia?
The top 10% of chemical equipment operators and tenders in Virginia earn at least $76,910 a year. The top 25% earn $65,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,990 a year, and a quarter of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn $49,250 or less.
How many chemical equipment operators and tenders work in Virginia?
About 2,040 chemical equipment operators and tenders are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.