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.
Also called: Acid Operator, Acid Patroller, Acid Polymerization Operator, Acid Purification Equipment Operator, Acid Recovery Operator, Acid Retort Operator
Median pay
$58,040
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,440 – $92,250
People employed
139,630
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 2.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 6.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 7.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 8.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay by state
Annual median pay by state (47 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in every state →
What chemical equipment operators and tenders do
- 01Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
- 02Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
- 03Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.
- 04Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks or malfunctions, shutting equipment down, if necessary.
- 05Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
- 06Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Chemistry
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Stress Tolerance
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from chemical equipment operators and tenders
- Chemical Plant and System Operators90% · +35%
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers90% · +67%
- Biomass Plant Technicians88% · group pay
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators87% · +3%
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders86% · −6%
Change into chemical equipment operators and tenders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers87% · $61,770
- Biofuels Processing Technicians86% · $62,470
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders86% · $54,430
- Biomass Plant Technicians85% · $102,040
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic84% · $48,750
Majors that lead here
- Chemical Technology/Technician
- Chemical Process Technology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.