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Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders: Job Description
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.
What Tasks Do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Do?
The core tasks performed by chemical equipment operators and tenders cover:
- 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.
- Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
- 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.
- Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.
- Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, concentrations, or viscosities, or send them to laboratories for testing.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Successful chemical equipment operators and tenders draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Other Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Acetone Recovery Worker
- Acetylene Plant Operator
- Acid Bleacher
- Acid Cleaner
- Acid Concentrator
- Acid Condenser
- Acid Extractor
- Acid Maker
Job Outlook
There are roughly 312,227 chemical equipment operators and tenders working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to decline by -0.0% over the projection horizon.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $64,527 |
| Hourly median | $31.02 |
| 10th percentile | $41,559 |
| 25th percentile | $53,043 |
| 75th percentile | $76,012 |
| 90th percentile | $87,496 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $85,480 |
| Louisiana | $77,250 |
| Alabama | $72,900 |
| Washington | $65,240 |
| Illinois | $64,270 |
| West Virginia | $63,980 |
| Kentucky | $63,380 |
| Rhode Island | $61,260 |
| Maryland | $61,190 |
| Delaware | $61,070 |
| Texas | $59,930 |
| Tennessee | $59,090 |
| Indiana | $58,900 |
| Ohio | $58,240 |
| Virginia | $57,250 |
| California | $57,150 |
| Mississippi | $57,020 |
| South Carolina | $56,580 |
| Oregon | $55,710 |
| Connecticut | $55,400 |
| Iowa | $55,030 |
| Hawaii | $54,740 |
| Arkansas | $54,410 |
| New Hampshire | $53,890 |
| North Carolina | $53,380 |
| New York | $52,380 |
| Maine | $52,150 |
| New Mexico | $51,680 |
| Colorado | $50,810 |
| Missouri | $50,420 |
| Idaho | $50,330 |
| Minnesota | $50,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,170 |
| New Jersey | $49,700 |
| Nebraska | $49,510 |
| Oklahoma | $49,480 |
| Michigan | $49,450 |
| Massachusetts | $49,420 |
| Kansas | $49,290 |
| Wisconsin | $49,150 |
| Vermont | $48,610 |
| Georgia | $47,380 |
| South Dakota | $47,060 |
| Florida | $46,790 |
| Arizona | $46,110 |
| Nevada | $45,560 |
| Utah | $39,110 |
| Puerto Rico | $37,430 |
Where Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Earn the Most
Earnings for chemical equipment operators and tenders shift depending on where you work. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | $61,452 | 28.9% | 2.14 |
| Far Western US | $58,534 | 6.8% | 0.46 |
| Southwest | $58,365 | 14.4% | 1.31 |
| Great Lakes | $56,475 | 19.0% | 1.52 |
| Middle Atlantic | $51,615 | 16.2% | 1.61 |
| New England | $51,411 | 3.5% | 0.91 |
| Plains States | $50,968 | 7.4% | 1.38 |
| Rocky Mountains | $48,326 | 2.2% | 0.83 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | LA | $98,790 | 2,840 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | TX | $98,410 | 1,140 |
| Mobile, AL | AL | $82,090 | 710 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | TX | $81,540 | 6,930 |
| Midland, MI | MI | $81,270 | 430 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | WA | $80,890 | 170 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | MS | $79,470 | 280 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | LA | $78,930 | 1,210 |
Which Industries Hire Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
The largest employers of chemical equipment operators and tenders work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 124,240 | $57,130 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,260 | $54,190 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1,020 | $51,250 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 660 | $76,870 |
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders work in the following industries:
Software Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Use
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
Work Environment
The on-the-job environment of chemical equipment operators and tenders tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
How to Become Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Most chemical equipment operators and tenders positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Chemical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Chemical Technicians (Supplemental)
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (Primary-Long)
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Short)
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Long)
- Power Plant Operators (Supplemental)
- Biomass Plant Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (Primary-Short)
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-9011.00 (Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders).
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