Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Lake Charles, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lake Charles, LA

Median annual salary $71,740 +25.7% vs national
Median hourly $34.49
10th percentile $47,610
90th percentile $102,290
Employed locally 2,050
National median $57,090

Compare Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
in
Lake Charles, LA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,610
    25th
    $61,270
    50th (median)
    $71,740
    75th
    $88,920
    90th
    $102,290

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 107% Median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary is 7% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Baton Rouge, LA $98,790
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $98,410
    Wyoming $85,480
    Montgomery, AL $84,360
    Mobile, AL $82,090
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $81,540

    Nearby metros — Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Baton Rouge, LA $98,790
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $81,540
    Midland, MI $81,270
    Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $80,430
    Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area $79,560
    New Orleans-Metairie, LA $78,930

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $63,760
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $77,200
    Chemical Plant and System Operators $102,310
    Production Workers, All Other $39,140
    Gas Plant Operators $105,030
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $85,920

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make per hour in Lake Charles?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Lake Charles, LA is $34.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $51.47 or more per hour.

    Is Lake Charles above or below average for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Lake Charles, LA is 25.7% above the national median of $57,090. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $47,610 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,270.