SOC 519011

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels. Excludes "Chemical Plant and System Operators" (51-8091).

National Median

$57,090

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$57,090

Entry Level (10th pct)

$37,270

Experienced (90th pct)

$88,460

Total Employed

127,410

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience LevelEstimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience$37,270 - $45,660
Mid Career2-8 years experience$45,660 - $71,400
Senior / Expert8+ years experience$71,400 - $88,460

Highest Paying Locations for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan AreaMedian SalaryEmployed
Baton Rouge, LA$98,7902,840
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX$98,4101,140
Wyoming$85,480310
Mobile, AL$82,090710
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$81,5406,930
Midland, MI$81,270430
Longview-Kelso, WA$80,890170
Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area$80,430780
Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area$79,560300
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS$79,470280
New Orleans-Metairie, LA$78,9301,210
Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area$78,340390
Decatur, AL$77,730720
Corpus Christi, TX$77,310180
Louisiana$77,2507,920
Kennewick-Richland, WA$74,450130
Brunswick-St. Simons, GA$74,29040
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area$73,800280
Alabama$72,9003,100
Lake Charles, LA$71,7402,050
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$70,710650
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC$68,700400
Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area$68,420540
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN$68,360980
Grand Junction, CO$68,06030
Champaign-Urbana, IL$67,21070
Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area$67,05030
Joplin, MO-KS$65,590120
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA$65,240280
Washington$65,2401,800
Bowling Green, KY$65,160160
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$65,120690
Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$64,820180
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$64,7702,700
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT$64,590230
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV$64,560390
Illinois$64,2703,490
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL$64,100390
West Virginia$63,9801,400
South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area$63,930580
Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area$63,750260
Hattiesburg, MS$63,64050
Central East New York nonmetropolitan area$63,400330
Kentucky$63,3803,580
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY$63,140410
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$63,020370
Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area$62,450280
Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area$62,140170
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area$61,86080
West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area$61,690590

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders?
The national median annual salary for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders is $57,090, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.
Where do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenderss earn the most?
The highest-paying metro area for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenderss is Baton Rouge, LA, with a median salary of $98,790.
How much can an experienced Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make?
Top-earning Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenderss (90th percentile) make $88,460 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.