Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Chemical Plant and System Operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $55,210 a year ($26.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,680 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $78,120. Pay here is 12% lower than the New York statewide median of $62,980. There are 0.15 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| 25th percentile | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Median | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| 75th percentile | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,680 | $43.59 |
| Average (mean) | $64,100 | $30.82 |
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 | $4,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,300.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,123.46 |
| Weekly | $1,061.73 |
| Hourly | $26.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $90,470 | 200 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $84,390 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $128,830 |
| Wyoming | $107,810 |
| Texas | $102,750 |
| Louisiana | $100,060 |
| Kentucky | $97,550 |
| Maryland | $95,150 |
| Alabama | $91,610 |
| Arkansas | $91,610 |
| California | $87,550 |
| Oregon | $87,110 |
See Chemical Plant and System Operators pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Power Plant Operator | $103,300 | $49.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $87,000 | $41.83 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $62,470 | $30.04 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,520 | $22.37 |
| Baker | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Machinist | $63,970 | $30.75 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,390 | $28.55 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Printing Press Operator | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,440 | $29.06 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $55,210 a year, or $26.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $90,680 a year. The top 25% earn $62,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,070 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $55,070 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 70 chemical plant and system operators are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.