Salary guide, May 2025
Chemical Operator pay in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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The median annual wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA was $87,210 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $76,420 and $100,800.
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA median is $9,090 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 portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $59,610 | $76,420 | $87,210 | $100,800 | $102,330 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $28.66 | $36.74 | $41.93 | $48.46 | $49.20 |
BLS estimated 100 workers employed in this occupation in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA. Location quotient: 0.75.
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 $87,210. The all-occupations median in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $60,690. Ratio: 1.44 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.75 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA, 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, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $111,900 | $86,430 to $111,930 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $68,590 | $59,560 to $79,900 |
All roles in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA · National page · Chemical Operator ranked across metros