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Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Oregon
Thinking about a career as a Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Oregon? Below are the key facts. 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. Excludes “Chemical Plant and System Operators” (51-8091).
What do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Make in Oregon?
For chemical equipment operators and tenders working in Oregon, the median annual wage is $55,710 per year (or about $26.78/hour).Annual wages span from $42,680 at the 10th percentile to $72,050 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,680 | $20.52 |
| 25th percentile | $47,160 | $22.68 |
| Median (50th) | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| 75th percentile | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| 90th percentile | $72,050 | $34.64 |
The job concentration index in Oregon compared to the national average — is 0.64, meaning fewer chemical equipment operators and tenders per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, chemical equipment operators and tenders earn a median of $64,527 per year ($31.02/hour), below the Oregon median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 312,227 chemical equipment operators and tenders nationwide. In Oregon alone, around 1,040 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 1,800 chemical equipment operators and tenders.
Top Oregon Metros for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
The largest metro-area employers of chemical equipment operators and tenders in Oregon.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 680 | $55,840 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 140 | $61,500 |
| Bend, OR | 80 | $49,090 |
| Albany, OR | 70 | $50,830 |
| Salem, OR | 60 | $49,040 |
| Medford, OR | 50 | $51,890 |
Top States for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Employment
These states have the highest employment of chemical equipment operators and tenders work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 16,190 |
| New Jersey | 8,710 |
| Ohio | 7,980 |
| Louisiana | 7,920 |
| California | 5,830 |
| Indiana | 5,450 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,420 |
| Michigan | 4,910 |
| New York | 4,550 |
| Tennessee | 4,170 |
| Georgia | 4,070 |
| South Carolina | 3,710 |
| Kentucky | 3,580 |
| Illinois | 3,490 |
| Massachusetts | 3,200 |
| Florida | 3,150 |
| Alabama | 3,100 |
| Wisconsin | 2,730 |
| Missouri | 2,590 |
| North Carolina | 2,560 |
Highest-Paying States for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Where chemical equipment operators and tenders earn the most: chemical equipment operators and tenders.
| 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 |
Skills
Key chemical equipment operators and tenders skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for chemical equipment operators and tenders, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders typically:
- 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.
- Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks or malfunctions, shutting equipment down, if necessary.
- Open valves or start pumps, agitators, reactors, blowers, or automatic feed of materials.
- Read plant specifications to determine products, ingredients, or prescribed modifications of plant procedures.
- Implement appropriate industrial emergency response procedures.
Work Activities
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Training and Teaching Others
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Related occupations to chemical equipment operators and tenders include:
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Power Plant Operators
Also Known As
Acetone Recovery Worker, Acetylene Plant Operator, Acid Bleacher, Acid Cleaner, Acid Concentrator, Acid Condenser, Acid Extractor, Acid Maker, Acid Operator, Acid Patroller, Acid Polymerization Operator, Acid Purification Equipment Operator, Acid Purifier, Acid Recovery Operator, Acid Regenerator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-9011.00