Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Washington
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Washington earn a median of $60,120 a year ($28.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,010 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $78,120. Washington ranks 30th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.10 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Median | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| 75th percentile | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,010 | $54.81 |
| Average (mean) | $71,570 | $34.41 |
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 | $5,010 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,505 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,312.31 |
| Weekly | $1,156.15 |
| Hourly | $28.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $87,210 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $103,620 | $49.82 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $91,530 | $44.00 |
| Power Plant Operator | $131,620 | $63.28 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $144,710 | $69.57 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $88,730 | $42.66 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| Machinist | $66,160 | $31.81 |
| Baker | $46,140 | $22.18 |
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 Washington?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Washington is $60,120 a year, or $28.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Washington?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Washington earn at least $114,010 a year. The top 25% earn $101,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,760 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $49,670 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Washington?
About 350 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.