Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Indiana
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Indiana earn a median of $49,110 a year ($23.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,470 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $78,120. Indiana ranks 34th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.10 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| 25th percentile | $45,680 | $21.96 |
| Median | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| 75th percentile | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,470 | $32.44 |
| Average (mean) | $53,520 | $25.73 |
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 | $4,092.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,046.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,888.85 |
| Weekly | $944.42 |
| Hourly | $23.61 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $65,750 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $53,540 | $25.74 |
| Power Plant Operator | $107,000 | $51.44 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $67,420 | $32.41 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $85,790 | $41.24 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $70,490 | $33.89 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $129,080 | $62.06 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,950 | $35.55 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Machinist | $57,800 | $27.79 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,600 | $21.44 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,590 | $23.36 |
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 Indiana?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Indiana is $49,110 a year, or $23.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Indiana?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Indiana earn at least $67,470 a year. The top 25% earn $59,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,140 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $45,680 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Indiana?
About 320 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.