Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Missouri
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Missouri earn a median of $55,470 a year ($26.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,040 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $78,120. Missouri ranks 32nd of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.15 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| 25th percentile | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Median | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| 75th percentile | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,040 | $37.52 |
| Average (mean) | $58,650 | $28.20 |
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 | $4,622.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,311.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,133.46 |
| Weekly | $1,066.73 |
| Hourly | $26.67 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $52,330 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $51,560 | $24.79 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,620 | $34.91 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,450 | $50.70 |
| Power Plant Operator | $101,900 | $48.99 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,420 | $26.17 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,950 | $24.98 |
| Machinist | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,470 | $18.50 |
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 Missouri?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Missouri is $55,470 a year, or $26.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Missouri?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Missouri earn at least $78,040 a year. The top 25% earn $59,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,590 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $50,400 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Missouri?
About 450 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.