Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Richmond, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Richmond, VA

Median annual salary $76,550 +4.1% vs national
Median hourly $36.80
10th percentile $35,790
90th percentile $91,620
National median $73,540

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,790
    25th
    $52,420
    50th (median)
    $76,550
    75th
    $82,140
    90th
    $91,620

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 91% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 9% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $87,210
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,030
    Pennsylvania $75,660

    Related occupations in Richmond, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,400
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $73,480
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $47,630
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $48,180
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $56,670
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $30,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Richmond, VA is $36.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.41 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Richmond, VA is 4.1% 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 Richmond?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $35,790 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $52,420.