Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders: Career Profile
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.
Featured schools near , edit
What Tasks Do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Take On?
Typical responsibilities of chemical equipment operators and tenders 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.
- Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, concentrations, or viscosities, or send them to laboratories for testing.
Skills and Knowledge
Top chemical equipment operators and tenders rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Acetone Recovery Worker
- Acetylene Plant Operator
- Acid Bleacher
- Acid Cleaner
- Acid Concentrator
- Acid Condenser
- Acid Extractor
- Acid Maker
How Many Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Are There?
The U.S. employs around 312,227 chemical equipment operators and tenders working in the United States today. Employment is projected to decline by -0.0% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $64,527 |
| Hourly median | $31.02 |
| 10th percentile | $41,559 |
| 25th percentile | $53,043 |
| 75th percentile | $76,012 |
| 90th percentile | $87,496 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $85,480 |
| Louisiana | $77,250 |
| Alabama | $72,900 |
| Washington | $65,240 |
| Illinois | $64,270 |
| West Virginia | $63,980 |
| Kentucky | $63,380 |
| Rhode Island | $61,260 |
| Maryland | $61,190 |
| Delaware | $61,070 |
| Texas | $59,930 |
| Tennessee | $59,090 |
| Indiana | $58,900 |
| Ohio | $58,240 |
| Virginia | $57,250 |
| California | $57,150 |
| Mississippi | $57,020 |
| South Carolina | $56,580 |
| Oregon | $55,710 |
| Connecticut | $55,400 |
| Iowa | $55,030 |
| Hawaii | $54,740 |
| Arkansas | $54,410 |
| New Hampshire | $53,890 |
| North Carolina | $53,380 |
| New York | $52,380 |
| Maine | $52,150 |
| New Mexico | $51,680 |
| Colorado | $50,810 |
| Missouri | $50,420 |
| Idaho | $50,330 |
| Minnesota | $50,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,170 |
| New Jersey | $49,700 |
| Nebraska | $49,510 |
| Oklahoma | $49,480 |
| Michigan | $49,450 |
| Massachusetts | $49,420 |
| Kansas | $49,290 |
| Wisconsin | $49,150 |
| Vermont | $48,610 |
| Georgia | $47,380 |
| South Dakota | $47,060 |
| Florida | $46,790 |
| Arizona | $46,110 |
| Nevada | $45,560 |
| Utah | $39,110 |
| Puerto Rico | $37,430 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | $61,452 | 28.9% | 2.14 |
| Far Western US | $58,534 | 6.8% | 0.46 |
| Southwest | $58,365 | 14.4% | 1.31 |
| Great Lakes | $56,475 | 19.0% | 1.52 |
| Middle Atlantic | $51,615 | 16.2% | 1.61 |
| New England | $51,411 | 3.5% | 0.91 |
| Plains States | $50,968 | 7.4% | 1.38 |
| Rocky Mountains | $48,326 | 2.2% | 0.83 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | LA | $98,790 | 2,840 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | TX | $98,410 | 1,140 |
| Mobile, AL | AL | $82,090 | 710 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | TX | $81,540 | 6,930 |
| Midland, MI | MI | $81,270 | 430 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | WA | $80,890 | 170 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | MS | $79,470 | 280 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | LA | $78,930 | 1,210 |
Top Industries Employing Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Most chemical equipment operators and tenders are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 124,240 | $57,130 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,260 | $54,190 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1,020 | $51,250 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 660 | $76,870 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Use
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of chemical equipment operators and tenders reflects the following characteristics:
- 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
Education and Training
Entry-level chemical equipment operators and tenders positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Chemical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Chemical Technicians (Supplemental)
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (Primary-Long)
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Short)
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Long)
- Power Plant Operators (Supplemental)
- Biomass Plant Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (Primary-Short)
Degree Programs
Future chemical equipment operators and tenders commonly pursue programs in:
Science Technologies/Technicians
2 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-9011.00 (Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.