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Production & Manufacturing

Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Kentucky

Chemical Plant and System Operators in Kentucky make a median of $98,890 a year, or about $47.54 an hour. The range runs from $71K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers.

AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)

$99K
Median annual
$47.54/hr
Hourly rate
$71K
Entry level (10th %)
$131K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $99K get you in Kentucky?

Take-home$6,167/mo
2BR rent (est.)-$1,110/mo
Rent burden18%
COL-adjusted salary$98,890/yr
After rent$5,057/mo
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About chemical plant and system operators

U.S. employed: 70
Category: Production & Manufacturing
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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky

Bar chart showing Chemical Plant and System Operators salary percentiles in Kentucky: 10th percentile $70,530, 25th percentile $78,520, median $98,890, 75th percentile $114,400, 90th percentile $131,130. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$71K25th$79KMedian$99K75th$114K90th$131K
Bar chart showing Chemical Plant and System Operators salary percentiles in Kentucky: 10th percentile $70,530, 25th percentile $78,520, median $98,890, 75th percentile $114,400, 90th percentile $131,130. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level chemical plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $71K. Mid-career wages sit at $99K.Top earners bring in $131K or more - a $61K spread from bottom to top.

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Chemical Plant and System Operators pay across states

Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure

StateMedian salaryvs. nationalEmployment
North Dakota$113K+54%410
Wyoming$104K+42%320
Texas$99K+35%2,980
Kentucky$99K+34%70
Louisiana$97K+31%3,360
Maryland$93K+26%320
New Jersey$89K+20%320
California$88K+20%590
Alabama$84K+15%N/A
Pennsylvania$76K+3%750
Florida$69K-7%230
West Virginia$68K-8%230
Michigan$67K-9%90
Illinois$67K-9%290
Tennessee$66K-10%260

Track chemical plant and system operators salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do chemical plant and system operators make in Kentucky?

The median is $98,890 a year - that works out to about $47.54 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,530, and experienced chemical plant and system operators can clear $131,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $99K enough to live in Kentucky?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,167/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,110/month (median of metro areas), which eats 18% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.

How far does a chemical plant and system operators salary go in Kentucky?

Kentucky 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 plant and system operators salary is worth about $98,890 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do chemical plant and system operators 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.

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