Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Chemical Plant And System Operators
Chemical Plant And System Operators control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Table of contents
What they do
Chemical Plant And System Operators 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 the 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Chemical Plant Operators patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing. They control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
A typical day for a Chemical Plant and System Operator will also include:
- Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify the conformity of process conditions.
- 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.
- Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
- Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Chemical Plant Operators also supervise the cleaning of towers, strainers, or spray tips. They may also repair or replace damaged equipment.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Chemical Plant Operators direct workers engaged in operating machinery that regulates the flow of materials and products. They might also defrost frozen valves, using steam hoses.
In addition, they calculate material requirements or yields according to formulas.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them notify maintenance, stationary engineering, or other auxiliary personnel to correct equipment malfunctions or to adjust power, steam, water, or air supplies.
To some Chemical Plant Operators, it is also their responsibility to confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
57% said they were satisfied with their job and 43% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work both indoors and outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Chemical Plant And System Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $38,160 to $48,430 per year or $18 to $23 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $95,860 | $46 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $81,360 | $39 |
| Median | $65,960 | $32 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $48,430 | $23 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $38,160 | $18 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Chemical Plant And System Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $82000 | $39.42 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $72420 | $34.82 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $65930 | $31.70 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $63950 | $30.75 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | $63510 | $30.54 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $62960 | $30.27 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $62690 | $30.14 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $62460 | $30.03 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $62000 | $29.81 |
| Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing | $59530 | $28.62 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Chemical Plant And System Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Chemical Plant And System Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Manufacturing | 18240 | $65930 | $31.70 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 4270 | $72420 | $34.82 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 2160 | $55350 | $26.61 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 960 | $82000 | $39.42 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 660 | $62690 | $30.14 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 250 | $46580 | $22.39 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | 190 | $56340 | $27.09 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 120 | $63510 | $30.54 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 110 | $63950 | $30.75 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 100 | $54320 | $26.11 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Chemical Technology
Chemical Process Technology
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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