Chemical Plant Operator

Explore This Path

Ideal for those who love precision and process control in dynamic environments.
Ensure safe and efficient chemical production, impacting various industries globally.
Operate advanced machinery and respond to challenges in real-time.

💰 Earn $91K-$112K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 -0.8% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Steady (Staying constant (within 1%))

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

1,700 Annually

Median Earnings

$103,300 in California

$80,030 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

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$125K

$150K

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$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Chemical Plant Operator? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@jwhitenc

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Critical Thinking
Judgment and Decision Making
Operations Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Time Management

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Job security

Deep Dive

Chemical Plant Operator

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years