Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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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.
Table of contents
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
Is this job meaningful
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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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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