Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $77,030 a year, or about $37.04 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $70,748 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 44.7% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $77K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). 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 plant and system operators
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level chemical plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $57K 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 |
| Ohio | $66K | -11% | 460 |
| Massachusetts | $66K | -11% | 250 |
| Montana | $65K | -11% | 120 |
| Minnesota | $64K | -12% | 110 |
| Georgia | $63K | -15% | 200 |
| Connecticut | $63K | -15% | 30 |
| Virginia | $62K | -16% | N/A |
| South Carolina | $61K | -17% | 480 |
| New York | $61K | -17% | 120 |
| Iowa | $60K | -18% | N/A |
| Washington | $58K | -21% | 220 |
| Idaho | $57K | -22% | 40 |
| South Dakota | $57K | -23% | 180 |
| North Carolina | $57K | -23% | 1,130 |
| Mississippi | $56K | -24% | 300 |
| Utah | $53K | -27% | 330 |
| Indiana | $51K | -30% | 290 |
| Wisconsin | $51K | -31% | 110 |
| Missouri | $51K | -31% | 370 |
| Arkansas | $46K | -37% | 160 |
Showing 1–10 of 35 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track chemical plant and system operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical plant and system operators make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $77,030 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,090, and experienced chemical plant and system operators can clear $97,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,906/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 45.8% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $70,748 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.