SOC 51-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders — Northern West Virginia
Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northern West Virginia, WV comes to $65,980 a year, ahead of the national median of $58,040 by 13.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northern West Virginia, WV comes to $65,980 a year, ahead of the national median of $58,040 by 13.7%. Pay ranges from under $43,500 at the tenth percentile to more than $92,310 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,000 to $76,610.
Employment stands at 250, or 1.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Charleston records the highest median at $77,670. Of the 392 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 110th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,500 | −25.1% |
| 25th | $44,000 | −24.2% |
| Median (50th) | $65,980 | +13.7% |
| 75th | $76,610 | +32.0% |
| 90th | $92,310 | +59.0% |
| Mean | $63,650 | +9.7% |
Other metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | $77,670 | 280 | |
| 2 | Parkersburg | $66,060 | 330 | |
| 3 | Huntington | $57,430 | 240 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northern West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $65,980 goes as far as $73,721 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 27.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$65,980as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$73,721US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $65,980 a year, 13.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,500 to $92,310 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 250 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charleston, at $77,670.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Northern West Virginia, WV?
The median annual wage is $65,980, or $31.72 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $58,040, so pay in Northern West Virginia, WV is 13.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northern West Virginia, WV earns more than $92,310 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,500 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Charleston, at $77,670 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 250 jobs in this occupation in Northern West Virginia, WV. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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