Median pay
$73,540
Median annual pay for Chemical Plant and System Operators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Production
Chemical Plant and System Operators
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
10-year growth
-6.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings
1,600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment
18,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Chemical Plant and System Operators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost
-1,100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile
What the work involves
Strongest O*NET signals first.
Essential skills
- 1Monitoring
- 2Critical Thinking
- 3Active Listening
- 4Active Learning
- 5Reading Comprehension
- 6Speaking
Knowledge areas
- 1Production and Processing
- 2Chemistry
- 3Mechanical
- 4English Language
- 5Public Safety and Security
- 6Customer and Personal Service
Abilities
- 1Near Vision
- 2Problem Sensitivity
- 3Selective Attention
- 4Deductive Reasoning
- 5Oral Comprehension
- 6Oral Expression
Career interests
- 1Realistic
- 2Conventional
- 3Investigative
- 4Enterprising
- 5Social
- 6Artistic
Work styles
- 1Cautiousness
- 2Dependability
- 3Attention to Detail
- 4Stress Tolerance
- 5Integrity
- 6Self-Control
Work activities
- 1Getting Information
- 2Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- 3Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- 4Controlling Machines and Processes
- 5Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- 6Training and Teaching Others
Work context
- 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- 2Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- 3Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- 4Exposed to Contaminants
- 5Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- 6Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
Representative tasks
- 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.
Software and tools
Microsoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Word · hot technologyAlarm management system softwareCoordinated incident management system CIMS softwareDistributed control system DCSInterlock shutdown systems
Sources
BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.