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Chemical Plant and System Operators
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Other titles employers use
Chemical Operator · Loader Technician · Process Control Operator · Process Development Associate · Process Operator · Process Technician · Production Technician · Chemical Plant Operator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
Subjects to know
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Selective Attention
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.5 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.3 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.9 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 62%
- A four-year degree 36%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
- Industrial control software
- Network security or virtual private network VPN management software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 6,960
- Job openings each year
- 630
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- —
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 6,960 | 630 | — |
| Louisiana | 3,580 | 340 | 10.5% |
| Alabama | 850 | 80 | 2.4% |
| Iowa | 790 | 70 | 5.3% |
| Washington | 650 | 60 | 1.6% |
| Tennessee | 560 | 50 | 7.7% |
| Georgia | 540 | 50 | 10.2% |
| Indiana | 520 | 50 | 2.0% |
| Maryland | 440 | 40 | 4.8% |
| New Jersey | 400 | 40 | — |
| Arkansas | 380 | 40 | 5.6% |
| Florida | 380 | 30 | −2.6% |
| Ohio | 380 | 40 | — |
| New York | 340 | 0 | −24.4% |
| Colorado | 270 | 30 | — |
| Mississippi | 270 | 30 | 8.0% |
| South Carolina | 260 | 20 | — |
| Oregon | 240 | 20 | 14.3% |
| West Virginia | 240 | 20 | — |
| Minnesota | 210 | 20 | 5.0% |
| South Dakota | 210 | 20 | 5.0% |
| Montana | 180 | 20 | 5.9% |
| Wisconsin | 170 | 20 | 21.4% |
| Wyoming | 170 | 20 | 13.3% |
| Michigan | 160 | 20 | −5.9% |
| North Carolina | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Massachusetts | 70 | 10 | — |
| Kentucky | 50 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.