Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $79,400 +8% vs national
Median hourly $38.17
10th percentile $57,400
90th percentile $119,600
Employed locally 290
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
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Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,400
    25th
    $74,500
    50th (median)
    $79,400
    75th
    $101,880
    90th
    $119,600

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 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
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150
    Pittsburgh, PA $78,310
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $69,710
    Spartanburg, SC $66,640

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $42,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $77,290
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,700
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $40,840
    Bakers $36,160
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $56,110

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $38.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.32 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 8% 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $57,400 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $74,500.