Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender Salary in Houston, TX
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $79,430 a year — 37% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,709 take-home, or $5,392 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemical equipment operator and tender salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,645
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,925
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,152
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$64,709
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,630 | $17.61 | $31,612 | $2,634 |
| 25th percentile | $48,860 | $23.49 | $41,439 | $3,453 |
| Median (50th) | $79,430 | $38.19 | $64,709 | $5,392 |
| 75th percentile | $102,410 | $49.24 | $80,875 | $6,740 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,230 | $51.07 | $83,563 | $6,964 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,430 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemical equipment operator and tender's $64,709 take-home pay has the buying power of $65,608 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Houston, TX has 3.2× the national concentration of chemical equipment operator and tender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemical equipment operators and tenders, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #2 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $93,920 | $72,471 | $79,832 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $79,430 | $64,709 | $65,608 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $60,410 | $48,865 | $47,648 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $61,250 | $48,507 | $46,824 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $54,790 | $43,842 | $38,949 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $47,230 | $40,129 | $38,926 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
About the job: chemical equipment operators and tenders
Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.6% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Dallas, TX — $47,230
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical equipment operator and tender make in Houston, TX?
The median chemical equipment operator and tender salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $79,430 a year, or about $38.19 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,860 and $102,410.
What is a chemical equipment operator and tender’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $79,430 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $64,709 a year ($5,392 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a chemical equipment operator and tender?
Pay here is 37% above the national median of $58,040. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $65,608 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #2 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemical equipment operator and tender afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median chemical equipment operator and tender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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