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Occupation · SOC 51-9011

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

There are 139,630 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $58,040 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
139,630
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$58,040
Median pay a year
Middle half: $45,970–$74,080
13,900
Annual openings
10-year change: +3.6%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 193 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $79,430 · LCA filings 09,390$79,4300
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $54,790 · LCA filings 08,060$54,7900
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $61,250 · LCA filings 04,510$61,2500
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $60,410 · LCA filings 04,110$60,4100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $47,230 · LCA filings 03,640$47,2300
Baton Rouge, LAMedian pay $93,920 · LCA filings 02,500$93,9200
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INMedian pay $61,020 · LCA filings 02,330$61,0200
San Juan–Bayamon–Caguas, PRMedian pay $36,450 · LCA filings 02,300$36,4500
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $49,240 · LCA filings 02,030$49,2400
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $55,750 · LCA filings 02,030$55,7500

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Beaumont–Port Arthur, TXEmployment 1,540 · LCA filings 0$96,7901,5400
New Orleans–Metairie, LAEmployment 1,330 · LCA filings 0$94,4501,3300
Baton Rouge, LAEmployment 2,500 · LCA filings 0$93,9202,5000
Corpus Christi, TXEmployment 450 · LCA filings 0$91,5604500
Mobile, ALEmployment 700 · LCA filings 0$84,7407000

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $59,301 · Level III $76,232 · Level IV $93,142$42,390$59,301$76,232$93,142
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $48,818 · Level III $57,346 · Level IV $65,874$40,290$48,818$57,346$65,874
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $52,749 · Level III $62,338 · Level IV $71,947$43,139$52,749$62,338$71,947
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $53,269 · Level III $62,005 · Level IV $70,762$44,512$53,269$62,005$70,762
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $44,720 · Level III $53,976 · Level IV $63,232$35,464$44,720$53,976$63,232
Baton Rouge, LALevel II $74,381 · Level III $89,211 · Level IV $104,042$59,550$74,381$89,211$104,042
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INLevel II $50,024 · Level III $56,950 · Level IV $63,877$43,098$50,024$56,950$63,877
San Juan–Bayamon–Caguas, PRLevel II $32,427 · Level III $38,189 · Level IV $43,971$26,645$32,427$38,189$43,971
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $44,720 · Level III $51,376 · Level IV $58,053$38,043$44,720$51,376$58,053
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $49,878 · Level III $57,034 · Level IV $64,189$42,723$49,878$57,034$64,189

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Physical Science Technologies/TechniciansCIP 41.03STEM OPT · up to 36 months53STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in every metro area

All 193 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology