Chemical Plant and System Operators: 16,610 jobs, median pay $78,120

16,610

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$78,120

Median pay a year

Middle half: $60,330–$98,660

1,300

Annual openings

10-year change: −5.2%

High school diploma or equivalent

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 27 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Baton Rouge, LAMedian pay $104,410 · LCA filings 01,720$104,4100

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $106,020 · LCA filings 01,420$106,0200

Lake Charles, LAMedian pay $102,310 · LCA filings 0740$102,3100

New Orleans–Metairie, LAMedian pay $92,260 · LCA filings 0460$92,2600

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $82,170 · LCA filings 0410$82,1700

Richmond, VAMedian pay $77,930 · LCA filings 0340$77,9300

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $77,260 · LCA filings 0310$77,2600

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $111,900 · LCA filings 0300$111,9000

Pittsburgh, PAMedian pay $64,360 · LCA filings 0280$64,3600

Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 0200n/a0

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 300 · LCA filings 0$111,9003000

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployment 1,420 · LCA filings 0$106,0201,4200

Baton Rouge, LAEmployment 1,720 · LCA filings 0$104,4101,7200

Lake Charles, LAEmployment 740 · LCA filings 0$102,3107400

Mobile, ALEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$96,2101100

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Baton Rouge, LALevel II $87,776 · Level III $99,050 · Level IV $110,344$76,482$87,776$99,050$110,344

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $83,637 · Level III $98,883 · Level IV $114,109$68,411$83,637$98,883$114,109

Lake Charles, LALevel II $82,514 · Level III $98,821 · Level IV $115,149$66,186$82,514$98,821$115,149

New Orleans–Metairie, LALevel II $73,341 · Level III $86,674 · Level IV $100,006$60,008$73,341$86,674$100,006

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $76,170 · Level III $83,782 · Level IV $91,374$68,578$76,170$83,782$91,374

Richmond, VALevel II $61,797 · Level III $72,842 · Level IV $83,886$50,752$61,797$72,842$83,886

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $70,304 · Level III $82,160 · Level IV $93,995$58,469$70,304$82,160$93,995

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $94,744 · Level III $103,022 · Level IV $111,301$86,466$94,744$103,022$111,301

Pittsburgh, PALevel II $65,250 · Level III $70,158 · Level IV $75,088$60,320$65,250$70,158$75,088

Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $68,453 · Level III $81,224 · Level IV $93,995$55,682$68,453$81,224$93,995

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Physical Science Technologies/TechniciansCIP 41.03STEM OPT · up to 36 months53STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Chemical Plant and System Operators in every metro area

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology