Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $101,150 +37.5% vs national

Median hourly $48.63

10th percentile $57,810

90th percentile $124,130

Employed locally 1,820

National median $73,540

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Chemical Plant and System Operators

Houston, TX

Salary percentile breakdown

10th

$57,810

25th

$75,510

50th (median)

$101,150

75th

$105,510

90th

$124,130

Houston economic context

Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS

Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS

Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 126% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 26% above the area median household income

Top-paying metros for Chemical Plant and System Operators

Metro area	Median 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
Baton Rouge, LA	$101,130

Related occupations in Houston, TX

Occupation	Median salary
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	$36,560
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$53,810
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	$43,810
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	$72,530
Machinists	$58,630
Helpers--Production Workers	$35,990

Frequently asked questions

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

The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Houston, TX is $48.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.06 or more per hour.

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

The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Houston, TX is 37.5% 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 Houston?

Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $57,810 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,510.