Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Oregon
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Oregon earn a median of $87,110 a year ($41.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,330 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $78,120. Oregon ranks 10th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.06 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $88,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| 25th percentile | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Median | $87,110 | $41.88 |
| 75th percentile | $100,800 | $48.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,330 | $49.20 |
| Average (mean) | $88,420 | $42.51 |
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 | $7,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,629.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,350.38 |
| Weekly | $1,675.19 |
| Hourly | $41.88 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $87,210 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $69,720 | $33.52 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $137,490 | $66.10 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $67,630 | $32.51 |
| Power Plant Operator | $109,830 | $52.80 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $71,900 | $34.57 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,580 | $35.38 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,120 | $26.02 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| Baker | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,640 | $22.90 |
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 Oregon?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Oregon is $87,110 a year, or $41.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Oregon?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Oregon earn at least $102,330 a year. The top 25% earn $100,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,550 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $76,420 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Oregon?
About 120 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.