Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Chemical Operator
- Multiskill Operator
- Outside Operator
- Vessel Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Acetone Recovery Worker
- Acetylene Plant Operator
- Acid Bleacher
- Acid Cleaner
- Acid Concentrator
- Acid Condenser
- Acid Extractor
- Acid Maker
- Acid Operator
- Acid Patroller
- Acid Polymerization Operator
- Acid Purification Equipment Operator
- Acid Purifier
- Acid Recovery Operator
- Acid Regenerator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
- Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
- Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
- Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
- Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
- Adjust controls to regulate temperature, pressure, feed, or flow of liquids or gases and times of prescribed reactions, according to knowledge of equipment and processes.
- Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Load products into tanks for shipment.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Oral Expression
- Control Precision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Comprehension
- Perceptual Speed
- Multilimb Coordination
- Information Ordering
- Far Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cautiousness
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Stress Tolerance
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Agitator tanks
- Air purifying respirators
- Air scrubbers
- Augers
- Axial flow fans
- Barometers
- Batch dryers
- Belt conveyors
- Belt dryers
- Blenders
- Blending vessels
- Blowers
- Bourdon tubes
- Brine concentrators
- Bucket elevators
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $37,270 |
| Median | $57,090 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $88,460 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 127,410
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Chemical Plant and System Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $73,540
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,500
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $58,260
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $41,460
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $47,450
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.