Salary guide, May 2025
Chemical Operator pay in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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The median annual wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA was $92,260 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $71,510 and $96,240.
The New Orleans-Metairie, LA median is $14,140 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 new Orleans-Metairie, LA?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $46,480 | $71,510 | $92,260 | $96,240 | $124,770 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.35 | $34.38 | $44.36 | $46.27 | $59.99 |
BLS estimated 460 workers employed in this occupation in New Orleans-Metairie, LA. Location quotient: 9.59.
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 $92,260. The all-occupations median in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $47,290. Ratio: 1.95 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 9.59 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $79,610 | $99,810 | $108,640 |
| May 2025 | $71,510 | $92,260 | $96,240 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-8091 Chemical Plant and System Operators, New Orleans-Metairie, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $104,410 | $91,100 to $104,570 |
| Mobile, AL | $96,210 | $82,030 to $100,250 |
All roles in New Orleans-Metairie, LA · National page · Chemical Operator ranked across metros