Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Median annual salary $57,370 -22% vs national
Median hourly $27.58
10th percentile $44,440
90th percentile $76,970
Employed locally 100
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Memphis, TN-MS-AR stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Memphis, TN-MS-AR
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,440
    25th
    $45,750
    50th (median)
    $57,370
    75th
    $70,140
    90th
    $76,970

    Memphis economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,743 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 89% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 11% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $66,140

    Related occupations in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $37,350
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $64,500
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $45,690
    Production Workers, All Other $37,230
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $44,530
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $48,170

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $27.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.00 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 22% 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 Memphis?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $44,440 per year in Memphis, TN-MS-AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,750.