Manufacturing career directory
Biofuels Processing Technicians
Calculate, measure, load, mix, and process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels and monitor production process. Perform, and keep records of, plant maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections.
Also called: Biofuels Processing Technician, Board Operator, Chemical Operator, Ethanol Operator, Mash Preparatory Operator, Process Operator, Process Technician, Production Operator, Biodiesel Process Control Technician, Biodiesel Processing Technician, Biodiesel Production Associate, Biodiesel Production Technician, Biofuels Data Scientist, Biofuels Production Associate, Biofuels Production Technician, Biomass Plant Technician, Systems Technician
This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.
What the worker does
- Monitor batch, continuous flow, or hybrid biofuels production processes.
- Operate valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust biofuels production.
- Monitor and record biofuels processing data.
- Collect biofuels samples and perform routine laboratory tests or analyses to assess biofuels quality.
- Operate equipment, such as a centrifuge, to extract biofuels products and secondary by-products or reusable fractions.
- Process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels.
- Operate chemical processing equipment for the production of biofuels.
- Monitor and record flow meter performance.
- Inspect biofuels plant or processing equipment regularly, recording or reporting damage and mechanical problems.
- Measure and monitor raw biofuels feedstock.
Skills, machines and equipment
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Equipment Maintenance
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
Education and training
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (71.18% 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
48,900–78,480 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-8099.
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) (71.18% 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
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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.