Salary guide, May 2025
Chemical Operator pay in St. Louis, MO-IL
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The median annual wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in St. Louis, MO-IL was $52,330 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $52,290 and $58,430.
The St. Louis, MO-IL median is $25,790 below 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 st. Louis, MO-IL?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $48,390 | $52,290 | $52,330 | $58,430 | $64,570 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23.27 | $25.14 | $25.16 | $28.09 | $31.04 |
BLS estimated 190 workers employed in this occupation in St. Louis, MO-IL. Location quotient: 1.35.
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 $52,330. The all-occupations median in St. Louis, MO-IL is $49,990. Ratio: 1.05 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.35 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 | $50,680 | $50,690 | $56,590 |
| May 2025 | $52,290 | $52,330 | $58,430 |
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, St. Louis, MO-IL. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $65,750 | $57,860 to $74,770 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $57,370 | $45,750 to $70,140 |
All roles in St. Louis, MO-IL · National page · Chemical Operator ranked across metros