Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Reading, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Reading, PA

Median annual salary $45,960 -19.5% vs national

Median hourly $22.10

10th percentile $36,080

90th percentile $63,070

Employed locally 260

National median $57,090

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Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Reading, PA

Salary percentile breakdown

10th

$36,080

25th

$38,060

50th (median)

$45,960

75th

$57,830

90th

$63,070

Reading economic context

Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS

Median household income $77,684 2023 • Census ACS

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 59% Median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary is 41% below the area median household income

Top-paying metros for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Metro area	Median 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 area	Median salary
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$81,540
Champaign-Urbana, IL	$67,210
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	$64,560
Lancaster, PA	$58,210
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$58,110
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	$57,860

Occupation	Median salary
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	$42,050
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	$75,670
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	$51,460
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$52,520
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	$41,230
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	$52,590

Frequently asked questions

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

The median hourly wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Reading, PA is $22.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.31 or more per hour.

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

The median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Reading, PA is 19.5% below 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 Reading?

Entry-level Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $36,080 per year in Reading, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,060.