Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $99,810 +35.7% vs national
Median hourly $47.99
10th percentile $57,330
90th percentile $111,230
Employed locally 770
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how New Orleans, LA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
New Orleans, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,330
    25th
    $79,610
    50th (median)
    $99,810
    75th
    $108,640
    90th
    $111,230

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 160% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 60% 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
    Lake Charles, LA $102,310
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150

    Nearby metros — Chemical Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $108,370
    Lake Charles, LA $102,310
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150
    Baton Rouge, LA $101,130
    Maryland $92,930
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $87,210

    Related occupations in New Orleans, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $76,010
    Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers $105,860
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $60,590
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $60,480
    Production Workers, All Other $44,560
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders $78,930

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in New Orleans, LA is $47.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.99 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in New Orleans, LA is 35.7% 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 New Orleans?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $57,330 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,610.