Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $50,320 -31.6% vs national
Median hourly $24.19
10th percentile $48,250
90th percentile $76,310
Employed locally 40
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Milwaukee, WI stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Milwaukee, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,250
    25th
    $50,130
    50th (median)
    $50,320
    75th
    $62,990
    90th
    $76,310

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 66% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 34% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $79,400
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $69,710
    Wisconsin $51,000

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $44,840
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $76,260
    Machinists $53,010
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,580
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $46,090
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $57,370

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Milwaukee, WI is $24.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.69 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Milwaukee, WI is 31.6% 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 Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $48,250 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,130.