Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Texas
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Texas earn a median of $102,750 a year ($49.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,220 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $78,120. Texas ranks 3rd of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.17 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,620, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,460 | $25.22 |
| 25th percentile | $73,850 | $35.51 |
| Median | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| 75th percentile | $117,430 | $56.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,220 | $59.72 |
| Average (mean) | $95,620 | $45.97 |
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 | $8,562.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,281.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,951.92 |
| Weekly | $1,975.96 |
| Hourly | $49.40 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $117,430 | n/a |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $106,020 | 1,420 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,510 | $49.28 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,890 | $49.46 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,140 | $33.72 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Machinist | $59,180 | $28.45 |
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 Texas?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Texas is $102,750 a year, or $49.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Texas?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Texas earn at least $124,220 a year. The top 25% earn $117,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,460 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $73,850 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Texas?
About 2,360 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.