Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Chemical Plant and System Operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $84,390 a year ($40.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,120 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $78,120. Pay here is 34% higher than the New York statewide median of $62,980. There are 0.06 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $79,780, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| 25th percentile | $73,690 | $35.43 |
| Median | $84,390 | $40.57 |
| 75th percentile | $84,390 | $40.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,120 | $42.37 |
| Average (mean) | $79,780 | $38.36 |
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 | $7,032.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,516.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,245.77 |
| Weekly | $1,622.88 |
| Hourly | $40.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,390 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 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $55,210 | 70 |
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $69,260 | $33.30 |
| Power Plant Operator | $86,280 | $41.48 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $85,350 | $41.04 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,900 | $20.14 |
| Machinist | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,420 | $26.65 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $54,340 | $26.13 |
| Baker | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,400 | $24.23 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, 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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $84,390 a year, or $40.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $88,120 a year. The top 25% earn $84,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,300 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $73,690 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 30 chemical plant and system operators are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.