Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Lake Charles, LA

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

Median annual salary $102,310 +39.1% vs national
Median hourly $49.19
10th percentile $50,910
90th percentile $121,530
Employed locally 740
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Lake Charles, LA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,910
    25th
    $80,420
    50th (median)
    $102,310
    75th
    $121,530
    90th
    $121,530

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 153% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 53% 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
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150
    Baton Rouge, LA $101,130

    Nearby metros — Chemical Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $108,370
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150
    Baton Rouge, LA $101,130
    New Orleans-Metairie, LA $99,810
    Maryland $92,930
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $87,210

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$71,740
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$63,760
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$77,200
    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 Plant and System Operators make per hour in Lake Charles?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Lake Charles, LA is $49.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $58.43 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Lake Charles, LA is 39.1% 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 Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $50,910 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,420.