What Do Chemical Equipment Operators And Tenders Do

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Chemical Equipment Operators And Tenders

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.

Salary
$53330
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

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.

  • Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
  • Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
  • Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
  • Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Chemical Equipment Operators monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained. They record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.

A typical day for a Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender will also include:

  • Adjust controls to regulate temperature, pressure, feed, or flow of liquids or gases and times of prescribed reactions, according to the knowledge of equipment and processes.
  • Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
  • Open valves or start pumps, agitators, reactors, blowers, or automatic feed of materials.
  • Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks or malfunctions, shutting equipment down, if necessary.
  • Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Chemical Equipment Operators also make minor repairs, lubricate, and maintain equipment, using hand tools. They may also drain equipment, and pump water or other solutions through to flush and clean tanks or equipment.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Chemical Equipment Operators Notify maintenance engineers of equipment malfunctions. They might also flush or clean equipment, using steam hoses or mechanical reamers.

In addition, they read plant specifications to determine products, ingredients, or prescribed modifications of plant procedures.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them observe and compare colors and consistencies of products to instrument readings and to laboratory and standard test results.

To some Chemical Equipment Operators, it is also their responsibility to dump or scoop prescribed solid, granular, or powdered materials into equipment.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Average

59% said they were satisfied with their job and 48% 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.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Salary is below average.

Demand for this career is declining.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$53330 per year

Average hourly wage

$26 per hour

Entry-level Chemical Equipment Operators And Tenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $30,200 to $38,200 per year or $15 to $18 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $81,730 $39
Senior (Top 25%) $66,650 $32
Median $50,510 $24
Junior (Bottom 25%) $38,200 $18
No experience (Bottom 10%) $30,200 $15

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Chemical Equipment Operators And Tenders based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Support Activities for Mining $78700 $37.84
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing $71540 $34.39
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing $57010 $27.41
Chemical Manufacturing $56280 $27.06
Scientific Research and Development Services $55950 $26.90
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills $55600 $26.73
Management of Companies and Enterprises $55560 $26.71
Other Food Manufacturing $54580 $26.24
Plastics Product Manufacturing $52230 $25.11
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing $51640 $24.83

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Chemical Equipment Operators And Tenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Chemical Equipment Operators And Tenders including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Chemical Manufacturing 56220 $56280 $27.06
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing 14120 $47720 $22.94
Chemical Manufacturing 12580 $47720 $22.94
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing 1060 $71540 $34.39
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing 990 $45490 $21.87
Plastics Product Manufacturing 880 $52230 $25.11
Employment Services 870 $44610 $21.45
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing 760 $51640 $24.83
Rubber Product Manufacturing 660 $38410 $18.47
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 450 $50630 $24.34

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
47%

More than 40 hours
53%

Working schedule

87%

14%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
15%

Every day
71%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
18%

Every day
55%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
90%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
69%

Once a year
21%

Once a month
10%

Once a week
0%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
17%

Slightly competitive
4%

Moderately competitive
43%

Highly competitive
26%

Extremely competitive
10%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
43%

Once a year or more
10%

Once a month or more
10%

Once a week or more
13%

Every day
25%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
13%

Once a year or more
1%

Once a month or more
8%

Once a week or more
10%

Every day
68%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
1%

Once a year or more
12%

Once a month or more
8%

Once a week or more
31%

Every day
47%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
29%

Once a year or more
24%

Once a month or more
4%

Once a week or more
41%

Every day
3%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
2%

High School Diploma or equivalent
49%

Post-Secondary Certificate
14%

Some College Courses
21%

Associate’s Degree or similar
14%

Bachelor’s Degree
2%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Chemical Technology

A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of chemical and biochemical research and industrial operations. Includes instruction in principles of chemistry and biochemistry, technical mathematics, computer applications, radiochemistry, industrial biochemistry, chemical instrumentation, physical chemistry, laboratory research methods, industrial processing methods and equipment, and test equipment operation and maintenance.

Chemical Process Technology

A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills to the operation of chemical processing equipment in industries such as chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and waste water treatment. Includes instruction in mathematics, chemistry, and physics; computer applications; chemical and refinery plant operations, processes, and equipment; safety, health, and environment; instrumentation; troubleshooting; and applications to specific industries.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
19%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
5%

1 to 2 years
18%

2 to 4 years
26%

4 to 6 years
32%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
2%

1 to 3 months
14%

3 to 6 months
27%

6 months to 1 year
30%

1 to 2 years
17%

2 to 4 years
5%

4 to 10 years
5%

Over 10 years
1%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

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.

The Builder
100%

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.


The Thinker
29%

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.


The Artist
19%

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.


The Helper
14%

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.


The Leader
29%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
48%

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?

Achievement
48%

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.

Working Conditions
52%

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.

Recognition
33%

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.

Relationships
62%

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.

Support
86%

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.

Independence
62%

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.

FAQ


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