Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Pittsburgh, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA

Median annual salary $78,310 +6.5% vs national
Median hourly $37.65
10th percentile $63,440
90th percentile $91,430
Employed locally 150
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Pittsburgh, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,440
    25th
    $65,270
    50th (median)
    $78,310
    75th
    $78,320
    90th
    $91,430

    Pittsburgh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,942 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 106% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 6% 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
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $79,400
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $69,710
    Spartanburg, SC $66,640

    Related occupations in Pittsburgh, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $44,830
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $74,680
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $48,890
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $44,220
    Machinists $50,050
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $51,080

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Pittsburgh, PA is $37.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Pittsburgh, PA is 6.5% 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 Pittsburgh?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $63,440 per year in Pittsburgh, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,270.