Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Colorado
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Colorado earn a median of $62,870 a year ($30.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,550 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $78,120. Colorado ranks 27th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.14 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,340 | $26.12 |
| 25th percentile | $59,560 | $28.63 |
| Median | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| 75th percentile | $75,680 | $36.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Average (mean) | $67,920 | $32.66 |
Half of chemical plant and system operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,239.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,619.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,418.08 |
| Weekly | $1,209.04 |
| Hourly | $30.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $68,590 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $74,200 | $35.68 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $98,080 | $47.15 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,780 | $49.42 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,350 | $28.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Baker | $40,650 | $19.55 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Food Batchmaker | $44,900 | $21.59 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical plant and system operators make in Colorado?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Colorado is $62,870 a year, or $30.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Colorado?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Colorado earn at least $81,550 a year. The top 25% earn $75,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,340 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $59,560 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Colorado?
About 400 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.