Chemical Plant and System Operators
SOC 51-8091Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Five-year wage trends
Median wage levels across states
Focus level
Level III median wage up 14.8% since 2020-21.
2026 weighted lottery impact
Thresholds for Level III & IV
2026 Weighted Lottery Impact
Level III threshold: $65,666
Level IV threshold: $74,547
Most common level in filings: Level II
Latest Level III median
2025-26
$65,666
Level I$50,274
Level II$57,200
Level III$65,666
Level IV$74,547
Top metros by Level III wages
Latest year median for this occupation
| Rank | Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck, ND, ND | $95,035 | $101,005 | $106,954 | $112,923 |
| 2 | Fargo, ND-MN, MN | $87,630 | $95,659 | $103,709 | $111,738 |
| 3 | Grand Forks, ND-MN, MN | $87,630 | $95,659 | $103,709 | $111,738 |
| 4 | Minot, ND, ND | $87,630 | $95,659 | $103,709 | $111,738 |
| 5 | Casper, WY, WY | $87,318 | $94,224 | $101,130 | $108,035 |
| 6 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, CA | $81,744 | $90,501 | $99,258 | $108,014 |
| 7 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA, CA | $80,850 | $89,586 | $98,322 | $107,058 |
| 8 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, CA | $79,560 | $88,837 | $98,134 | $107,411 |
| 9 | Vallejo, CA, CA | $79,248 | $88,421 | $97,614 | $106,787 |
| 10 | Paducah, KY-IL, IL | $73,258 | $85,176 | $97,115 | $109,034 |
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