Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in West Virginia
Chemical Plant and System Operators in West Virginia earn a median of $81,710 a year ($39.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,250 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $78,120. West Virginia ranks 14th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.54 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,250, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,210 | $21.25 |
| 25th percentile | $65,280 | $31.39 |
| Median | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| 75th percentile | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,250 | $43.39 |
| Average (mean) | $75,250 | $36.18 |
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 | $6,809.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,404.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,142.69 |
| Weekly | $1,571.35 |
| Hourly | $39.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $66,840 | 50 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,640 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $82,600 | $39.71 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| Power Plant Operator | $97,210 | $46.74 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,960 | $49.02 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,990 | $33.17 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,810 | $23.46 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Machinist | $47,350 | $22.77 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in West Virginia is $81,710 a year, or $39.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in West Virginia earn at least $90,250 a year. The top 25% earn $83,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,210 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $65,280 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in West Virginia?
About 380 chemical plant and system operators are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.