Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in California
Chemical Plant and System Operators in California earn a median of $87,550 a year ($42.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,930 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $78,120. California ranks 9th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.04 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $91,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
| 25th percentile | $81,210 | $39.05 |
| Median | $87,550 | $42.09 |
| 75th percentile | $103,060 | $49.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,930 | $53.81 |
| Average (mean) | $91,260 | $43.88 |
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 | $7,295.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,647.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,367.31 |
| Weekly | $1,683.65 |
| Hourly | $42.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $111,900 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $103,250 | $49.64 |
| Power Plant Operator | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $130,220 | $62.61 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $137,570 | $66.14 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Baker | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
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 California?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in California is $87,550 a year, or $42.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in California?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in California earn at least $111,930 a year. The top 25% earn $103,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,900 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $81,210 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in California?
About 780 chemical plant and system operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.