Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Tennessee
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Tennessee earn a median of $45,830 a year ($22.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,850 for the top 10%. That is 41% lower than the national median of $78,120. Tennessee ranks 35th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.11 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,620 | $20.01 |
| 25th percentile | $43,070 | $20.71 |
| Median | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| 75th percentile | $55,760 | $26.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,850 | $35.98 |
| Average (mean) | $52,060 | $25.03 |
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 | $3,819.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,909.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,762.69 |
| Weekly | $881.35 |
| Hourly | $22.03 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $57,370 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Power Plant Operator | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $96,730 | $46.50 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $60,240 | $28.96 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,040 | $23.10 |
| Machinist | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $20.77 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Tennessee is $45,830 a year, or $22.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Tennessee earn at least $74,850 a year. The top 25% earn $55,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,620 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $43,070 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Tennessee?
About 350 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.