Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Richmond, VA
Chemical Plant and System Operators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $77,930 a year ($37.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,520 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $78,120. Pay here is 24% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $63,000. There are 0.52 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,950, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| 25th percentile | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Median | $77,930 | $37.47 |
| 75th percentile | $84,800 | $40.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,520 | $46.41 |
| Average (mean) | $72,950 | $35.07 |
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 | $6,494.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,247.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,997.31 |
| Weekly | $1,498.65 |
| Hourly | $37.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,640 | 130 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,220 | $49.14 |
| Power Plant Operator | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,750 | $31.13 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| Baker | $31,500 | $15.14 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,710 | $23.42 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,220 | $15.97 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,220 | $18.37 |
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in the Richmond, VA metro area is $77,930 a year, or $37.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $96,520 a year. The top 25% earn $84,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,330 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $59,870 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Richmond, VA?
About 340 chemical plant and system operators are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.