SOC 51-8091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chemical Plant and System Operators — Louisiana
Louisiana · 3 metro areas compared
In Louisiana the median wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators reaches $100,060 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Louisiana the median wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators reaches $100,060 a year. That is 28.1% more than the national median of $78,120. Pay ranges from under $62,890 at the tenth percentile to more than $122,560 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $81,690 to $104,570.
Employment stands at 3,400, or 1.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Louisiana ranks number 4th out of 35 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Baton Rouge records the highest median at $104,410. Of the 679 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 69th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,890 | −19.5% |
| 25th | $81,690 | +4.6% |
| Median (50th) | $100,060 | +28.1% |
| 75th | $104,570 | +33.9% |
| 90th | $122,560 | +56.9% |
| Mean | $95,460 | +22.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $104,410 | 1,720 | |
| 2 | Lake Charles | $102,310 | 740 | |
| 3 | New Orleans | $92,260 | 460 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $100,060 goes as far as $113,447 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 45.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$100,060as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$113,447US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $100,060 a year, 28.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,890 to $122,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,400 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 4th of 35 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Baton Rouge, at $104,410.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Louisiana?
The median annual wage is $100,060, or $48.10 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 Louisiana is 28.1% 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 Louisiana earns more than $122,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,890 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 Baton Rouge, at $104,410 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,400 jobs in this occupation in Louisiana. 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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