Chemical Plant and System Operators
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Median pay: $78,120/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -6.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 1,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
• Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
• Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
• Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
• Inspect operating units, such as towers, soap-spray storage tanks, scrubbers, collectors, or driers to ensure that all are functioning and to maintain maximum efficiency.
• Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
• Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
• Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.
What's the median pay for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
The median pay for Chemical Plant and System Operators is $78,120 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Employment for Chemical Plant and System Operators is projected to change -6.1% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
About 1,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.