Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Alabama
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Alabama earn a median of $91,610 a year ($44.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,800 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $78,120. Alabama ranks 7th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.11 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,710, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,500 | $27.16 |
| 25th percentile | $78,080 | $37.54 |
| Median | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| 75th percentile | $96,210 | $46.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,800 | $48.94 |
| Average (mean) | $85,710 | $41.21 |
Half of chemical plant and system operators 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 | $7,634.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,817.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,523.46 |
| Weekly | $1,761.73 |
| Hourly | $44.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $91,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | $96,210 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $51,870 | $24.94 |
| Power Plant Operator | $107,080 | $51.48 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $119,000 | $57.21 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $53,470 | $25.71 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $114,570 | $55.08 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $51,690 | $24.85 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $77,120 | $37.08 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,060 | $35.13 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,910 | $17.26 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8091. 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 plant and system operators make in Alabama?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Alabama is $91,610 a year, or $44.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Alabama?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Alabama earn at least $101,800 a year. The top 25% earn $96,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,500 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $78,080 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Alabama?
About 230 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.