Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Arkansas
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Arkansas earn a median of $91,610 a year ($44.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,280 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $78,120. Arkansas ranks 8th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.18 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,470, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,420 | $35.78 |
| 25th percentile | $81,610 | $39.23 |
| Median | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| 75th percentile | $92,180 | $44.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| Average (mean) | $85,470 | $41.09 |
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 Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $57,370 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $100,870 | $48.49 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $86,580 | $41.63 |
| Power Plant Operator | $97,760 | $47.00 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $117,370 | $56.43 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $58,000 | $27.89 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,570 | $21.43 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,740 | $18.15 |
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Arkansas is $91,610 a year, or $44.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Arkansas earn at least $97,280 a year. The top 25% earn $92,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,420 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $81,610 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Arkansas?
About 240 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.