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What Does it Take to Be a Chemical Plant or System Operator?
Chemical Plant or System Operator Definition Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Life As a Chemical Plant or System Operator: What Do They Do?
- Interpret chemical reactions visible through sight glasses or on television monitors and review laboratory test reports for process adjustments.
- Defrost frozen valves, using steam hoses.
- Repair or replace damaged equipment.
- Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
- Notify maintenance, stationary-engineering, or other auxiliary personnel to correct equipment malfunctions or to adjust power, steam, water, or air supplies.
- Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
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Skills Needed to be a Chemical Plant or System Operator
These are the skills Chemical Plant and System Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Furnace Utility Operator
- Production Technician
- Front Wash Operator
- Ammonia Still Operator
- Process Development Associate
Are There Job Opportunities for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
In the United States, there were 33,200 jobs for Chemical Plant or System Operator in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Chemical Plant or System Operator. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,800 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Chemical Plant or System Operator are South Dakota, North Dakota, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, California, or South Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Chemical Plant or System Operator Make?
The average yearly salary of a Chemical Plant or System Operator ranges between $34,830 and $88,630.
Chemical Plant and System Operators who work in Wyoming, Texas, or Alabama, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Chemical Plant and System Operators in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $68,800 |
| Arizona | $60,790 |
| Arkansas | $48,360 |
| California | $58,160 |
| Colorado | $49,320 |
| Delaware | $62,910 |
| Florida | $59,080 |
| Georgia | $52,160 |
| Illinois | $66,700 |
| Indiana | $50,040 |
| Iowa | $60,250 |
| Kansas | $54,240 |
| Kentucky | $60,090 |
| Louisiana | $68,150 |
| Maryland | $58,400 |
| Massachusetts | $55,270 |
| Michigan | $54,840 |
| Minnesota | $51,340 |
| Mississippi | $59,920 |
| Montana | $61,240 |
| Nevada | $52,630 |
| New Jersey | $62,880 |
| New York | $56,400 |
| North Carolina | $50,370 |
| Ohio | $60,820 |
| Oregon | $57,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,170 |
| Rhode Island | $48,310 |
| South Carolina | $54,470 |
| South Dakota | $48,140 |
| Texas | $69,010 |
| Utah | $57,500 |
| Virginia | $51,040 |
| Washington | $52,690 |
| West Virginia | $63,980 |
| Wisconsin | $56,770 |
| Wyoming | $72,950 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Chemical Plant and System Operators
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Chemical Plant and System Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Distributed control system DCS
- Interlock shutdown systems
How to Become a Chemical Plant or System Operator
What kind of Chemical Plant or System Operator requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Chemical Plant or System Operator?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Chemical Plant or System Operator may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Chemical Plant or System Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
References:
Image Credit: NASA via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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