Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $87,210 +18.6% vs national
Median hourly $41.93
10th percentile $59,610
90th percentile $102,330
Employed locally 100
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Portland, OR-WA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,610
    25th
    $76,420
    50th (median)
    $87,210
    75th
    $100,800
    90th
    $102,330

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 92% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 8% 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
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $117,430
    North Dakota $112,970
    New Orleans-Metairie, LA $99,810
    California $88,280
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $87,820
    Worcester, MA $85,730

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Semiconductor Processing Technicians$61,410
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$46,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$73,960
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$57,050
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$60,940
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Portland, OR-WA is $41.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.20 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Portland, OR-WA is 18.6% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $59,610 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,420.