Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Chemical Plant and System Operators in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ make a median of $87,820 a year, or about $42.22 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 112.56), so that salary is closer to $78,021 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,910/month — about 52.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $88K get you in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
About chemical plant and system operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Entry-level chemical plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $88K.Top earners bring in $93K or more - a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Chemical Plant and System Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical plant and system operators make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The median is $87,820 a year - that works out to about $42.22 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,510, and experienced chemical plant and system operators can clear $93,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $88K enough to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,495/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,910/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 53% 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 plant and system operators salary go in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
New York-Newark-Jersey City has a Regional Price Parity of 112.56 (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 plant and system operators salary is worth about $78,021 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.