Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.

Also called: Chemical Operator (Chemical Tech), Chemical Process Operator, Chemical Reactor Operator, Chlorination Operator, Multiskill Operator, Outside Operator, Process Equipment Operator, Process Operator, Spray Dry Operator, Acid Operator, Acid Patroller, Acid Polymerization Operator, Acid Purification Equipment Operator, Acid Recovery Operator, Acid Retort Operator, Acid Tender, Aluminum Hydroxide Process Operator, Ammonia Nitrate Operator, Ammonia Still Operator, Chemical Equipment Controller, Chemical Machine Tender, Chemical Process Equipment Operator, Chemical Unit Operator, Chlorinator, Chlorinator Operator, Chlorine Cells Operator, Chlorine Operator, De-Ionizer Operator, Dehydrogenation Converter Operator, Desulphuring Operator, Desulphurizer Operator, Devulcanizer Operator, Devulcanizer Tender, Hydrochloric Acid Operator, MVA Operator (Monovinylacetylene Operator), MVA Reactor Operator (Monovinylacetylene Reactor Operator), MVA Still Operator (Monovinylacetylene Still Operator), Nitroglycerin Separator Operator, Oxidation Operator, Reactor Operator, Still Operator, Wet Mix Operator, White Lead Filterer, Zinc Chloride Operator

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

What the worker does

Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.
Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks or malfunctions, shutting equipment down, if necessary.
Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
Measure, weigh, and mix chemical ingredients, according to specifications.
Open valves or start pumps, agitators, reactors, blowers, or automatic feed of materials.
Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, concentrations, or viscosities, or send them to laboratories for testing.
Adjust controls to regulate temperature, pressure, feed, or flow of liquids or gases and times of prescribed reactions, according to knowledge of equipment and processes.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Active Listening
Writing
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Speaking
Active Learning

Education and training

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

45,970–74,080 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-9011.

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.
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 Equipment Operators and Tenders