Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Maryland
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Maryland earn a median of $95,150 a year ($45.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,760 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $78,120. Maryland ranks 6th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.10 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,860, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| 25th percentile | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| Median | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| 75th percentile | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| Average (mean) | $86,860 | $41.76 |
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 | $7,929.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,964.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,659.62 |
| Weekly | $1,829.81 |
| Hourly | $45.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $77,260 | 310 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $66,840 | 50 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,640 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Power Plant Operator | $111,260 | $53.49 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $81,890 | $39.37 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $102,950 | $49.49 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $113,660 | $54.64 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,670 | $21.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,310 | $29.00 |
| Baker | $37,040 | $17.81 |
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 Maryland?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Maryland is $95,150 a year, or $45.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Maryland?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Maryland earn at least $99,760 a year. The top 25% earn $95,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,390 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $78,340 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Maryland?
About 290 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.