Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Kentucky
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $97,550 a year ($46.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,500 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $78,120. Kentucky ranks 5th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.19). The average (mean) salary is $99,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,820 | $35.01 |
| 25th percentile | $80,530 | $38.72 |
| Median | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| 75th percentile | $112,920 | $54.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,500 | $65.15 |
| Average (mean) | $99,730 | $47.95 |
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 | $8,129.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,064.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,751.92 |
| Weekly | $1,875.96 |
| Hourly | $46.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Power Plant Operator | $93,400 | $44.90 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,600 | $50.77 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,490 | $34.85 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Machinist | $58,660 | $28.20 |
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Kentucky is $97,550 a year, or $46.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Kentucky earn at least $135,500 a year. The top 25% earn $112,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,820 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $80,530 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Kentucky?
About 40 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.