Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Washington
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Washington earn a median of $67,300 a year ($32.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,130 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $58,040. Washington ranks 7th of 47 states for chemical equipment operators and tenders pay. There are 0.48 chemical equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $68,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| 25th percentile | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Median | $67,300 | $32.36 |
| 75th percentile | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,130 | $46.70 |
| Average (mean) | $68,000 | $32.69 |
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 | $5,608.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,804.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,588.46 |
| Weekly | $1,294.23 |
| Hourly | $32.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $76,390 | 110 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $75,990 | 120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $67,300 | 310 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $67,230 | 720 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $49,310 | 590 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $107,920 | $51.88 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $53,800 | $25.86 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $47,060 | $22.63 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $58,710 | $28.22 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $56,400 | $27.12 |
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 Washington?
The median salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Washington is $67,300 a year, or $32.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Washington?
The top 10% of chemical equipment operators and tenders in Washington earn at least $97,130 a year. The top 25% earn $78,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,420 a year, and a quarter of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn $52,190 or less.
How many chemical equipment operators and tenders work in Washington?
About 1,720 chemical equipment operators and tenders are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.