Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Minnesota
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Minnesota earn a median of $66,500 a year ($31.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,680 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $78,120. Minnesota ranks 21st of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.05 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $65,940, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| 25th percentile | $52,350 | $25.17 |
| Median | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| 75th percentile | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Average (mean) | $65,940 | $31.70 |
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 | $5,541.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,770.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,557.69 |
| Weekly | $1,278.85 |
| Hourly | $31.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $69,710 | n/a |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $62,160 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $74,670 | $35.90 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Power Plant Operator | $94,390 | $45.38 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $101,910 | $49.00 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $100,500 | $48.32 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $88,290 | $42.45 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,630 | $50.78 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,550 | $37.76 |
| Machinist | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,940 | $20.64 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,960 | $19.69 |
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Minnesota is $66,500 a year, or $31.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Minnesota earn at least $81,680 a year. The top 25% earn $75,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,010 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $52,350 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Minnesota?
About 150 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.