Chemical Plant and System Operator salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A chemical plant and system operator earns a median of $78,120 a year ($37.56 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $79,970. About 16,610 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $78,120
- Gross pay
- $3,004.62
- Federal income tax
- −$321.40
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$186.29
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$43.57
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $2,453.36
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $78,120
- Federal
- $8,356
- FICA
- $5,976
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $63,787
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator: $78,620
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker: $74,450
- Gas Plant Operator: $87,820
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer: $68,120
- Aircraft Structure: $65,380
- Tool and Die Maker: $64,050
- Layout Worker: $63,870
- Model Maker: $63,340
BLS occupation: Chemical Plant and System Operators. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 51-8091). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical plant and system operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $37.56; the average is $38.45.
What is the salary range for a chemical plant and system operator?
The bottom 10% earn under $48,400 and the top 10% earn over $111,930 a year.
How much is $78,120 after taxes?
About $63,787 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $59,748 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.