Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in New York
Chemical Plant and System Operators in New York earn a median of $62,980 a year ($30.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,690 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $78,120. New York ranks 25th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.01 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.11). The average (mean) salary is $69,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| 25th percentile | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Median | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| 75th percentile | $84,390 | $40.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,690 | $43.60 |
| Average (mean) | $69,740 | $33.53 |
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 | $5,248.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,624.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,422.31 |
| Weekly | $1,211.15 |
| Hourly | $30.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $90,470 | 200 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $84,390 | 30 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $55,210 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,990 | $30.76 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $94,070 | $45.22 |
| Power Plant Operator | $106,990 | $51.44 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $74,700 | $35.92 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $98,390 | $47.31 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $129,580 | $62.30 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $139,390 | $67.02 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Baker | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,050 | $16.85 |
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 New York?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in New York is $62,980 a year, or $30.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in New York?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in New York earn at least $90,690 a year. The top 25% earn $84,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,070 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $55,070 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in New York?
About 120 chemical plant and system operators are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.