How much does a chemical plant and system operator make in California?
$87,550a year
Median yearly pay for chemical plant and system operators in California. That is $42.09 an hour or $7,296 a month.
- Hourly
- $42.09
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among states
- 9 of 35
- Jobs in the state
- 780
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $73,900Median: $87,550Highest 10%: $111,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $73,900 | $35.53 | |
| 25th | $81,210 | $39.04 | |
| Median | $87,550 | $42.09 | |
| 75th | $103,100 | $49.55 | |
| 90th | $111,900 | $53.81 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $111,900 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for chemical plant and system operators.
| 6. Maryland | $95,150 |
| 7. Alabama | $91,610 |
| 8. Arkansas | $91,610 |
| 9. California | $87,550 |
| 10. Oregon | $87,110 |
| 11. New Jersey | $86,820 |
| 12. Massachusetts | $83,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical plant and system operator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $42.09 ($87,550 a year).
Do chemical plant and system operators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $87,550 against $78,120 nationally, 12% more.
Where does California rank for chemical plant and system operator pay?
California ranks 9 of 35 states.
Which city in California pays chemical plant and system operators the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $111,900 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.