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  1. Occupations
  2. Chemical Plant and System Operators

Chemical Plant and System Operators

Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

SOC: 51-8091.00

Common Job Titles

  • Chemical Operator
  • Loader Technician
  • Process Operator
  • Process Technician

Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Chemical Plant and System Operators (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

17,840

Wage Distribution by Percentile

Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $48,000. 25th percentile: U.S. $57,080. 50th percentile: U.S. $73,540. 75th percentile: U.S. $98,050. 90th percentile: U.S. $107,790. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.

  • U.S.
MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$48,000
10% of workers earn the following or more$107,790
Workers on average earn$76,290

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Production and Processing3.7/5
  • Chemistry3.7/5
  • Mechanical3.6/5
  • English Language3.5/5
  • Public Safety and Security3.3/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word

Technology Skills

  • Alarm management system software
  • Coordinated incident management system CIMS software
  • Distributed control system DCS
  • Interlock shutdown systems

Tools & Equipment

  • Agitator tanks
  • Air conditioning systems
  • Axial flow fans
  • Barometers
  • Belt conveyors
  • Blending vessels
  • Boilers
  • Bourdon tubes
Tools & Technology: Tools & Equipment

Related Occupations

Occupations with similar skills and knowledge requirements

Most Similar

  • Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders 51-9011.00
  • Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 51-9012.00
  • Power Plant Operators 51-8013.00
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators 51-8031.00
  • Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers 51-8093.00

Moderately Similar

  • Biomass Plant Technicians 51-8013.03
  • Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders 51-9192.00
  • Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators 53-7071.00
  • Gas Plant Operators 51-8092.00
  • Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators 51-8021.00

Related

  • Chemical Engineers 17-2041.00
  • Biofuels Processing Technicians 51-8099.01
  • Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers 53-7072.00
  • Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders 51-9051.00
  • Chemical Technicians 19-4031.00
  • Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 51-4191.00
  • Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders 51-4051.00
  • Industrial Machinery Mechanics 49-9041.00
  • Semiconductor Processing Technicians 51-9141.00
  • Chemists 19-2031.00

Related Programs

Education programs that prepare you for this occupation

  • Short-Term CertificateProcess TechnicianIssuer: Southern Union State Community College
  • Short-Term CertificateProcess TechnologyIssuer: Calhoun Community College
  • Associate's DegreeProcess TechnologyIssuer: Calhoun Community College
  • Short-Term CertificateIntroduction to Process TechnologyIssuer: Bishop State Community College
  • Associate's DegreeProcess Operations TechnologyIssuer: Bishop State Community College
  • Associate's DegreeProcess and Maintenance TechnologyIssuer: Bishop State Community College
  • CertificationRefractory PersonnelIssuer: American Petroleum Institute
  • CertificationRisk Based InspectionIssuer: American Petroleum Institute
  • CertificationCorrosion and MaterialsIssuer: American Petroleum Institute
  • CertificationSystem Operator Certification ProgramIssuer: North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)