Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Pennsylvania
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Pennsylvania earn a median of $70,110 a year ($33.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,420 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $78,120. Pennsylvania ranks 18th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.13 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| 25th percentile | $64,260 | $30.89 |
| Median | $70,110 | $33.71 |
| 75th percentile | $80,940 | $38.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,420 | $43.47 |
| Average (mean) | $72,840 | $35.02 |
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 | $5,842.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,921.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,696.54 |
| Weekly | $1,348.27 |
| Hourly | $33.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $77,260 | 310 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $64,360 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Power Plant Operator | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $83,870 | $40.32 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Machinist | $57,810 | $27.79 |
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Pennsylvania is $70,110 a year, or $33.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Pennsylvania earn at least $90,420 a year. The top 25% earn $80,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,770 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $64,260 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Pennsylvania?
About 770 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.