SOC 51-8091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chemical Plant and System Operators — Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA · 2 metro areas compared
In Baton Rouge, LA the median wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators reaches $104,410 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Baton Rouge, LA the median wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators reaches $104,410 a year. That is 33.7% more than the national median of $78,120. Pay ranges from under $73,150 at the tenth percentile to more than $122,600 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $91,100 to $104,570.
The area has 1,720 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 39.39 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Lake Charles records the highest median at $102,310. Of the 491 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 45th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $73,150 | −6.4% |
| 25th | $91,100 | +16.6% |
| Median (50th) | $104,410 | +33.7% |
| 75th | $104,570 | +33.9% |
| 90th | $122,600 | +56.9% |
| Mean | $99,170 | +26.9% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Charles | $102,310 | 740 | |
| 2 | New Orleans | $92,260 | 460 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Baton Rouge run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $104,410 goes as far as $118,379 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 51.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$104,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$118,379US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $104,410 a year, 33.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $73,150 to $122,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,720 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lake Charles, at $102,310.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median annual wage is $104,410, or $50.20 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 $78,120, so pay in Baton Rouge, LA is 33.7% 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 Baton Rouge, LA earns more than $122,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $73,150 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 Lake Charles, at $102,310 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,720 jobs in this occupation in Baton Rouge, LA. 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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