Career Overview
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Also Known As
- Chemical Operator
- Loader Technician
- Process Operator
- Process Technician
Alternate Job Titles
- Ammonia Still Operator
- Ammonia Technician
- Badger Distiller Operator
- Bucket Wash Operator
- Chemical Operator
- Chemical Plant Operator
- Chemical Process Operator
- Chemical Production Operator
- Chemical Treatment Plant Technician
- Denitrator
- Front Wash Operator
- Furnace Plant Operator
- Furnace Process Plant Operator
- Furnace Utility Operator
- Hydrogenation Operator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
- Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
- Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
- Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
- Inspect operating units, such as towers, soap-spray storage tanks, scrubbers, collectors, or driers to ensure that all are functioning and to maintain maximum efficiency.
- Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
- Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- Mechanical
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Selective Attention
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Perceptual Speed
- Control Precision
- Far Vision
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cautiousness
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Relationships
- 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 3 months, up to and including 6 months
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 Word
Tools & Equipment
- Agitator tanks
- Air conditioning systems
- Axial flow fans
- Barometers
- Belt conveyors
- Blending vessels
- Boilers
- Bourdon tubes
- Bucket elevators
- Calibrated rods
- Capacitance probes
- Centrifugal compressors
- Centrifugal fans
- Centrifugal pumps
- Chain conveyors
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $48,000 |
| Median | $73,540 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $107,790 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 17,840
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $57,090
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
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $97,540
Biomass Plant Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $99,670
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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.