Chemical Plant and System Operators
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Also called: Chemical Operator, Chemical Plant Operations Technician (Chemical Plan Operations Tech), Chemical Plant Operator, Chemical Plant Production Operator, Chemical Process Control Operator, Chemical Process Operator
Median pay
$78,120
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,400 – $111,930
People employed
16,610
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 repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 7.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 8.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
Chemical Plant and System Operators pay by state
Annual median pay by state (35 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What chemical plant and system operators do
- 01Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
- 02Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
- 03Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
- 04Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
- 05Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
- 06Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Physics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
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 plant and system operators
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators85% · −1%
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders80% · −26%
- Wellhead Pumpers74% · −10%
- Nuclear Technicians73% · +41%
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers72% · −21%
Change into chemical plant and system operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders90% · $58,040
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders86% · $51,610
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators85% · $77,320
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers82% · $61,770
- Semiconductor Processing Technicians80% · $51,430
Majors that lead here
- Chemical Technology/Technician
- Chemical Process Technology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.