Chemical Plant and System Operators

Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

Also called: Chemical Operator, Chemical Plant Operations Technician (Chemical Plan Operations Tech), Chemical Plant Production Operator, Chemical Process Control Operator, Plant Technician (Plant Tech), Process Control Operator, Process Development Associate, Process Operator, Process Technician (Process Tech), Production Technician (Production Tech), Chemical Plant Operator, Chemical Process Operator, Chemical Production Operator, Chemical Treatment Plant Technician (Chemical Treatment Plant Tech), Development Associate, Furnace Plant Operator, Furnace Process Plant Operator, Nitric Acid Plant Operator, Processing Operator, Processing Technician (Processing Tech), Production Machine Operator, Production Operator

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
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.
Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.
Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
Start pumps to wash and rinse reactor vessels, to exhaust gases or vapors, to regulate the flow of oil, steam, air, or perfume to towers, or to add products to converter or blending vessels.
Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality.
Turn valves to regulate flow of products or byproducts through agitator tanks, storage drums, or neutralizer tanks.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Writing
Active Learning

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (68.13% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

60,330–98,660 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-8091.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (68.13% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Chemical Plant and System Operators