Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Lake Charles, LA
Chemical Plant and System Operators in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $102,310 a year ($49.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 740 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,530 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $78,120. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $100,060. There are 7.3 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 68.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,990, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,910 | $24.47 |
| 25th percentile | $80,420 | $38.66 |
| Median | $102,310 | $49.19 |
| 75th percentile | $121,530 | $58.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,530 | $58.43 |
| Average (mean) | $98,990 | $47.59 |
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 | $8,525.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,262.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,935 |
| Weekly | $1,967.50 |
| Hourly | $49.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $104,410 | 1,720 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $92,260 | 460 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $74,220 | $35.68 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $72,920 | $35.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $92,560 | $44.50 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Machinist | $75,580 | $36.34 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Baker | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,100 | $17.36 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $102,310 a year, or $49.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $121,530 a year. The top 25% earn $121,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,910 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $80,420 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 740 chemical plant and system operators are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.