Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $66,140 -10.1% vs national
Median hourly $31.80
10th percentile $40,840
90th percentile $79,130
Employed locally 50
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,840
    25th
    $56,620
    50th (median)
    $66,140
    75th
    $66,140
    90th
    $79,130

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 96% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 4% below 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
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $57,370

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,440
    Production Workers, All Other $41,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,030
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $48,440
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $44,920
    Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $50,150

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $31.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.04 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 10.1% below 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 Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $40,840 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,620.