Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Chemical Plant and System Operators
SOC: 51-8091 O*NET: 51-8091.00
Median Salary
$73,540
per year
Job Growth
📉 -6.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
What does a Chemical Plant and System Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$48,000
10th percentile
Early Career
$57,080
25th percentile
Median
$73,540
50th percentile
Experienced
$98,050
75th percentile
Top Earners
$107,790
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$48,000
25th
$57,080
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$73,540
Mean: $76,290
75th
$98,050
90th
$107,790
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $59,790 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $57,080 and $98,050
- •Salary spread is 55.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 17,840 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:18,100
Top Industries
Manufacturing88.8%
Chemical Manufacturing82.6%
Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only)65.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-6.1%
Annual Openings:1,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)18,100
Current
2034 (Projected)17,000
-6.1%
-1,100
Employment Change
-6.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Chemical Plant and System Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 36 locations
Louisiana
3,360 jobs$96,50015.21x
Texas
2,980 jobs$99,2501.86x
North Carolina
1,130 jobs$56,6302.00x
Pennsylvania
750 jobs$75,6601.07x
California
590 jobs$88,2800.28x
South Carolina
480 jobs$61,1001.81x
Ohio
460 jobs$65,5100.73x
North Dakota
410 jobs$112,9708.32x
Missouri
370 jobs$50,7001.09x
Utah
330 jobs$53,4201.65x
Wyoming
320 jobs$104,4209.92x
Maryland
320 jobs$92,9301.02x
New Jersey
320 jobs$88,5500.64x
Mississippi
300 jobs$55,7502.22x
Illinois
290 jobs$66,5800.42x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Agricultural Inspectors82%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators82%
5 shared skills
Commercial Pilots82%
5 shared skills
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists82%
5 shared skills
Locomotive Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Chemical Plant and System Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (1)Management & Supervision (3)
1
Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Start pumps to wash and rinse reactor vessels, to exhaust gases or vapors, to regulate the flow of oil, steam, air, or perfume to towers, or to add products to converter or blending vessels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Interpret chemical reactions visible through sight glasses or on television monitors and review laboratory test reports for process adjustments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Chemical Plant and System Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Chemical Plant and System Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Chemical Plant and System Operators
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.55
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.31
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.29
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.03
Analytical Thinking
ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level3.70
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.67
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.3
Integrity
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Analytical Thinking
3.7
Cooperation
3.7
Initiative
3.7
Independence
3.6
Concern for Others
3.6
Self-Control
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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