Salary guide, May 2025
Chemical Operator pay in Lake Charles, LA
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The median annual wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Lake Charles, LA was $102,310 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $80,420 and $121,530.
The Lake Charles, LA median is $24,190 above the national median of $78,120, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-8091 Chemical Plant and System Operators
Chemical Operator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about lake Charles, LA?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,910 | $80,420 | $102,310 | $121,530 | $121,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $24.47 | $38.66 | $49.19 | $58.43 | $58.43 |
BLS estimated 740 workers employed in this occupation in Lake Charles, LA. Location quotient: 68.5.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $48,400 | $60,330 | $78,120 | $98,660 | $111,930 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23.27 | $29.01 | $37.56 | $47.44 | $53.81 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Chemical Operator median is $102,310. The all-occupations median in Lake Charles, LA is $45,700. Ratio: 2.24 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 68.5 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about earlier release?
BLS May 2024 has no published row for this occupation in Lake Charles, LA, so no release comparison is shown.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-8091 Chemical Plant and System Operators, Lake Charles, LA. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-8091 Chemical Plant and System Operators, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $117,430 | $101,150 to $117,460 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $104,410 | $91,100 to $104,570 |
All roles in Lake Charles, LA · National page · Chemical Operator ranked across metros