Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Louisiana
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Louisiana earn a median of $100,060 a year ($48.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,560 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $78,120. Louisiana ranks 4th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.8 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 16.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,460, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,890 | $30.23 |
| 25th percentile | $81,690 | $39.28 |
| Median | $100,060 | $48.10 |
| 75th percentile | $104,570 | $50.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,560 | $58.92 |
| Average (mean) | $95,460 | $45.90 |
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 | $8,338.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,169.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,848.46 |
| Weekly | $1,924.23 |
| Hourly | $48.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,060 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 cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $104,410 | 1,720 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $102,310 | 740 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $92,260 | 460 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $106,640 | $51.27 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $108,350 | $52.09 |
| Power Plant Operator | $101,170 | $48.64 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,490 | $23.80 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $45,210 | $21.73 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Machinist | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,070 | $21.67 |
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Louisiana is $100,060 a year, or $48.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Louisiana earn at least $122,560 a year. The top 25% earn $104,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,890 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $81,690 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Louisiana?
About 3,400 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.