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Chemical Plant and System Operators pay in California

In California, the median pay for chemical plant and system operators is $42.09 an hour ($87,550 a year). About 780 people work in this job there.

$42.09Median hourly pay
$81,210–$103,060Middle half of workers, yearly
780People in this job in California

That is 12% higher than the U.S. median ($78,120). California ranks 9th of 35 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in California

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$35.53$73,900
25% of workers$39.05$81,210
Half of workers (median)$42.09$87,550
75% of workers$49.55$103,060
90% of workers$53.81$111,930

Chemical Plant and System Operators pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$111,900300

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for chemical plant and system operators

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: -5.2% over ten years, declining · about 1,300 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in California

JobMedian yearly pay
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52,910
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$81,770
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators$90,650
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$58,300
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$103,250
Power Plant Operators$105,210
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$45,150
Gas Plant Operators$130,220

Other job titles for this job

Process Development AssociateChemical Plant Operations TechnicianChemical Plan Operations TechChemical Plant OperatorChemical Plant Production OperatorChemical Process Control OperatorChemical Production OperatorChemical Treatment Plant TechnicianChemical Treatment Plant TechFurnace Plant OperatorFurnace Process Plant OperatorNitric Acid Plant Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.