Chemical Plant and System Operators: Career Profile
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
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What Tasks Do Chemical Plant and System Operators Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of chemical plant and system operators cover:
- 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.
- Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Effective chemical plant and system operators combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Chemical Plant and System Operators Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Ammonia Still Operator
- Ammonia Technician
- Badger Distiller Operator
- Bucket Wash Operator
- Chemical Operator
- Chemical Plant Operator
- Chemical Process Operator
- Chemical Production Operator
How Many Chemical Plant and System Operators Are There?
The U.S. employs around 180,891 chemical plant and system operators working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +8.6% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Chemical Plant and System Operators
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $27,362 |
| Hourly median | $13.15 |
| 10th percentile | $20,000 |
| 25th percentile | $22,650 |
| 75th percentile | $32,073 |
| 90th percentile | $36,785 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Chemical Plant and System Operators Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $112,970 |
| Wyoming | $104,420 |
| Texas | $99,250 |
| Kentucky | $98,890 |
| Louisiana | $96,500 |
| Maryland | $92,930 |
| New Jersey | $88,550 |
| California | $88,280 |
| Alabama | $84,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,660 |
| Florida | $68,640 |
| West Virginia | $67,600 |
| Michigan | $67,230 |
| Illinois | $66,580 |
| Tennessee | $66,140 |
| Ohio | $65,510 |
| Massachusetts | $65,500 |
| Montana | $65,190 |
| Minnesota | $64,420 |
| Georgia | $62,600 |
| Connecticut | $62,590 |
| Virginia | $61,950 |
| South Carolina | $61,100 |
| New York | $61,050 |
| Colorado | $60,300 |
| Iowa | $60,100 |
| Washington | $58,280 |
| Idaho | $57,300 |
| South Dakota | $56,690 |
| North Carolina | $56,630 |
| Mississippi | $55,750 |
| Utah | $53,420 |
| Indiana | $51,170 |
| Wisconsin | $51,000 |
| Missouri | $50,700 |
| Arkansas | $46,130 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for chemical plant and system operators vary by region. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | $99,250 | 19.7% | 1.86 |
| Middle Atlantic | $80,890 | 10.0% | 0.89 |
| Far Western US | $80,131 | 5.4% | 0.35 |
| Southeast | $79,383 | 42.5% | 8.73 |
| Plains States | $76,978 | 7.1% | 4.17 |
| Rocky Mountains | $75,503 | 5.4% | 4.92 |
| New England | $65,188 | 1.9% | 0.54 |
| Great Lakes | $61,244 | 8.2% | 0.60 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $108,370 | 250 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | TX | $101,150 | 1,820 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | LA | $101,130 | 1,640 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | LA | $99,810 | 770 |
| Mobile, AL | AL | $88,730 | 100 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $87,820 | |
| Worcester, MA | MA | $85,730 | 70 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | NY | $81,730 | 30 |
Top Industries Employing Chemical Plant and System Operators
The largest employers of chemical plant and system operators are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 15,840 | $74,530 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,340 | $55,940 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 130 | $62,250 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 90 | $57,580 |
| Utilities | 60 | $101,880 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of chemical plant and system operators tends to involve the following characteristics:
- 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
Education and Training
Typical chemical plant and system operators positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Chemical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Chemists (Supplemental)
- Chemical Technicians (Supplemental)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (Supplemental)
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (Supplemental)
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Power Plant Operators (Primary-Long)
- Biomass Plant Technicians (Primary-Short)
Degree Programs
Aspiring chemical plant and system operators often complete programs in:
Science Technologies/Technicians
2 programs across 1 majors
Sources
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: 51-8091.00 (Chemical Plant and System Operators).
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