Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Salem, OR
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Salem, OR make a median of $49,040 a year, or about $23.58 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.65), that's roughly $47,313 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,560/month — about 46.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $49K get you in Salem?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Salem’s Regional Price Parity (103.65). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About chemical equipment operators and tenders
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salem, OR
Entry-level chemical equipment operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $25K spread from bottom to top.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $85K | +50% | 310 |
| Louisiana | $77K | +35% | 7,920 |
| Alabama | $73K | +28% | 3,100 |
| Washington | $65K | +14% | 1,800 |
| Illinois | $64K | +13% | 3,490 |
| West Virginia | $64K | +12% | 1,400 |
| Kentucky | $63K | +11% | 3,580 |
| Rhode Island | $61K | +7% | 300 |
| Maryland | $61K | +7% | 1,150 |
| Delaware | $61K | +7% | 1,060 |
| Texas | $60K | +5% | 16,190 |
| Tennessee | $59K | +4% | 4,170 |
| Indiana | $59K | +3% | 5,450 |
| Ohio | $58K | +2% | 7,980 |
| Virginia | $57K | +0% | 1,670 |
| California | $57K | +0% | 5,830 |
| Mississippi | $57K | -0% | 950 |
| South Carolina | $57K | -1% | 3,710 |
| Oregon | $56K | -2% | 1,040 |
| Connecticut | $55K | -3% | 760 |
| Iowa | $55K | -4% | 2,080 |
| Hawaii | $55K | -4% | 40 |
| Arkansas | $54K | -5% | 1,100 |
| New Hampshire | $54K | -6% | 90 |
| North Carolina | $53K | -6% | 2,560 |
| New York | $52K | -8% | 4,550 |
| Maine | $52K | -9% | 220 |
| New Mexico | $52K | -9% | 150 |
| Missouri | $50K | -12% | 2,590 |
| Idaho | $50K | -12% | 210 |
| Minnesota | $50K | -12% | 1,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $50K | -12% | 5,420 |
| New Jersey | $50K | -13% | 8,710 |
| Nebraska | $50K | -13% | 1,750 |
| Oklahoma | $49K | -13% | 930 |
| Michigan | $49K | -13% | 4,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49K | -13% | 3,200 |
| Kansas | $49K | -14% | 1,800 |
| Wisconsin | $49K | -14% | 2,730 |
| Vermont | $49K | -15% | N/A |
| Georgia | $47K | -17% | 4,070 |
| South Dakota | $47K | -18% | 180 |
| Florida | $47K | -18% | 3,150 |
| Arizona | $46K | -19% | 1,310 |
| Nevada | $46K | -20% | 70 |
| Utah | $39K | -31% | 1,500 |
Showing 1–10 of 46 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track chemical equipment operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Salem numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Salem, OR?
The median is $49,040 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,610, and experienced chemical equipment operators and tenders can clear $63,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Salem?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,140/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,560/month, which eats 49.7% 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 Salem?
Salem has a Regional Price Parity of 103.65 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical equipment operators and tenders salary is worth about $47,313 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.