Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Chemical Plant and System Operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $64,360 a year ($30.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,940 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $78,120. Pay here is 8% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $70,110. There are 0.25 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| 25th percentile | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Median | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| 75th percentile | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,940 | $38.91 |
| Average (mean) | $70,210 | $33.76 |
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 | $5,363.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,681.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,475.38 |
| Weekly | $1,237.69 |
| Hourly | $30.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,360 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $77,260 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $128,830 |
| Wyoming | $107,810 |
| Texas | $102,750 |
| Louisiana | $100,060 |
| Kentucky | $97,550 |
| Maryland | $95,150 |
| Alabama | $91,610 |
| Arkansas | $91,610 |
| California | $87,550 |
| Oregon | $87,110 |
See Chemical Plant and System Operators pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $65,480 | $31.48 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $73,090 | $35.14 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $72,190 | $34.71 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Power Plant Operator | $93,870 | $45.13 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,610 | $25.78 |
| Machinist | $55,880 | $26.86 |
| Baker | $35,340 | $16.99 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $64,360 a year, or $30.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $80,940 a year. The top 25% earn $80,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,130 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $64,270 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 280 chemical plant and system operators are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.