Chemical Plant and System Operators pay range in Memphis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,440 a year or less, while the top 10% make $76,970 or more. The middle half of chemical plant and system operators in Memphis earn between $45,750 and $70,140.
- $44K10th
- $46K25th
- $57KMedian
- $70K75th
- $77K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $60,070 | $5,006 | $28.88 |
| Median | $57,370 | $4,781 | $27.58 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $45,750 | $3,812 | $22.00 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $70,140 | $5,845 | $33.72 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Chemical Plant and System Operators pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Chemical plant and system operators in Memphis earn 15% more than the Tennessee average ($52,060) and 25% less than the U.S. average ($79,970). At the median the gap is -27% against the U.S. median of $78,120.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $60,070 | $57,370 | $44,440 | $76,970 | 100 |
| Tennessee | $52,060 | $45,830 | $41,620 | $74,850 | 350 |
| United States | $79,970 | $78,120 | $48,400 | $111,930 | 16,610 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary after taxes in Memphis
On the average salary of $60,070, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $50,446 a year, or $4,204 a month and $1,940 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $50,446 | $4,204 |
| Working in MS | $48,775 | $4,065 |
| Working in AR | $48,711 | $4,059 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Memphis a good place for chemical plant and system operators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $60,070 buys what about $65,167 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 4.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in nearby metro areas
- St. Louis, MO$56,420
- Mobile, AL$91,540
- Baton Rouge, LA$99,170
- Lake Charles, LA$98,990
- New Orleans, LA$86,810
- Greenville, SC$60,140
Highest-paying cities for chemical plant and system operators
Beaumont, TX pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($107,760).
- Beaumont, TX$107,760
- San Francisco, CA$103,110
- Baton Rouge, LA$99,170
- Houston, TX$99,020
- Lake Charles, LA$98,990
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Memphis: questions
How much do chemical plant and system operators make an hour in Memphis?
$28.88 an hour on average, and $27.58 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level chemical plant and system operators salary in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,440 a year and the 25th percentile is $45,750, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the chemical plant and system operators take-home pay in Memphis?
About $50,446 a year ($4,204 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $60,070. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do chemical plant and system operators earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?
The average here is 25% less than the U.S. average for this job ($79,970).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-8091; area Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 12.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.54, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.