Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in California
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in California make a median of $57,150 a year, or about $27.48 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $80K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $57K get you in California?
About chemical equipment operators and tenders
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level chemical equipment operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K. Top earners bring in $80K or more, a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary by metro in California
15 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $63K | +10% | 370 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $61K | +7% | 750 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $59K | +3% | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $58K | +2% | 790 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $58K | +1% | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $51K | -11% | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $50K | -12% | 1,970 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $50K | -13% | 50 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $49K | -14% | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $49K | -15% | 370 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $48K | -15% | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $48K | -16% | 230 |
| Modesto | $48K | -16% | 40 |
| Fresno | $47K | -18% | 110 |
| Visalia | $45K | -22% | 30 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 metros
Compare to other states
Track chemical equipment operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical equipment operators and tenders make in California?
The median is $57,150 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,600, and experienced chemical equipment operators and tenders can clear $79,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,853/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 64.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a chemical equipment operators and tenders salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical equipment operators and tenders salary is worth about $53,844 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemical equipment operators and tenders get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.