Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $81,730 +11.1% vs national
Median hourly $39.30
10th percentile $50,470
90th percentile $85,270
Employed locally 30
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Buffalo, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,470
    25th
    $71,380
    50th (median)
    $81,730
    75th
    $81,730
    90th
    $85,270

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 116% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 16% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $117,430
    North Dakota $112,970
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $108,370
    Wyoming $104,420
    Lake Charles, LA $102,310
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150

    Nearby metros — Chemical Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $87,820
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $53,380

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$43,640
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$47,070
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76,390
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$40,670
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,080
    Machinists$59,420

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Buffalo, NY is $39.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.37 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Chemical Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Buffalo, NY is 11.1% above the national median of $73,540. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Buffalo?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $50,470 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $71,380.