How much does a chemical equipment operator and tender make?
The median chemical equipment operator and tender in the United States earns $57,090 per year, about $27.45 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all chemical equipment operators and tenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-9011.
Chemical equipment operator and tender salary range
Pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,270 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $88,460. The average (mean) wage of $59,800 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,270 | $17.92 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,660 | $21.95 | |
| Median (50th) | $57,090 | $27.45 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $71,400 | $34.33 | |
| 90th percentile | $88,460 | $42.53 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for chemical equipment operators and tenders (SOC 51-9011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Chemical equipment operator and tender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Chemical equipment operators and tenders earn the most in Wyoming at $85,480 a year, and the least in Utah at $39,110. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $85,480 | 310 |
| Louisiana | $77,250 | 7,920 |
| Alabama | $72,900 | 3,100 |
| Washington | $65,240 | 1,800 |
| Illinois | $64,270 | 3,490 |
| West Virginia | $63,980 | 1,400 |
| Kentucky | $63,380 | 3,580 |
| Rhode Island | $61,260 | 300 |
| Maryland | $61,190 | 1,150 |
| Delaware | $61,070 | 1,060 |
| Texas | $59,930 | 16,190 |
| Tennessee | $59,090 | 4,170 |
| Indiana | $58,900 | 5,450 |
| Ohio | $58,240 | 7,980 |
| Virginia | $57,250 | 1,670 |
| California | $57,150 | 5,830 |
| Mississippi | $57,020 | 950 |
| South Carolina | $56,580 | 3,710 |
| Oregon | $55,710 | 1,040 |
| Connecticut | $55,400 | 760 |
| Iowa | $55,030 | 2,080 |
| Hawaii | $54,740 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $54,410 | 1,100 |
| New Hampshire | $53,890 | 90 |
| North Carolina | $53,380 | 2,560 |
| New York | $52,380 | 4,550 |
| Maine | $52,150 | 220 |
| New Mexico | $51,680 | 150 |
| Colorado | $50,810 | 760 |
| Missouri | $50,420 | 2,590 |
| Idaho | $50,330 | 210 |
| Minnesota | $50,320 | 1,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,170 | 5,420 |
| New Jersey | $49,700 | 8,710 |
| Nebraska | $49,510 | 1,750 |
| Oklahoma | $49,480 | 930 |
| Michigan | $49,450 | 4,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,420 | 3,200 |
| Kansas | $49,290 | 1,800 |
| Wisconsin | $49,150 | 2,730 |
| Vermont | $48,610 | N/A |
| Georgia | $47,380 | 4,070 |
| South Dakota | $47,060 | 180 |
| Florida | $46,790 | 3,150 |
| Arizona | $46,110 | 1,310 |
| Nevada | $45,560 | 70 |
| Utah | $39,110 | 1,500 |
State median wages for chemical equipment operators and tenders (SOC 51-9011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for chemical equipment operators and tenders
The BLS projects employment of chemical equipment operators and tenders to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 140,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 145,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 13,900 openings a year for chemical equipment operators and tenders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a chemical equipment operator and tender
The typical entry-level education for chemical equipment operators and tenders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a chemical equipment operator and tender earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Wyoming, $85,480) and the lowest (Utah, $39,110) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 127,410 people work as chemical equipment operators and tenders in the United States. At $57,090 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Chemical equipment operator and tender salary FAQ
How much does a chemical equipment operator and tender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a chemical equipment operator and tender is $27.45. The middle half of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn between $21.95 and $34.33 per hour.
What is the highest chemical equipment operator and tender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn more than $88,460 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a chemical equipment operator and tender make a year?
The median annual salary for a chemical equipment operator and tender is $57,090. The average (mean) wage of $59,800 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a chemical equipment operator and tender a well paid job?
At $57,090 a year, a chemical equipment operator and tender earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 127,410 people work as chemical equipment operators and tenders in the United States.
Which state pays chemical equipment operators and tenders the most?
Wyoming has the highest median salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders at $85,480 a year. Louisiana ($77,250) and Alabama ($72,900) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a chemical equipment operator and tender a good career?
Employment of chemical equipment operators and tenders is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 13,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a chemical equipment operator and tender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for chemical equipment operators and tenders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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