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.

What you'd actually do

• Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
• Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
• Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
• Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
• Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
• Adjust controls to regulate temperature, pressure, feed, or flow of liquids or gases and times of prescribed reactions, according to knowledge of equipment and processes.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0.4% of chemical equipment operators and tenders are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, organized and detail-focused and analytical.

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Quick questions

How much does a chemical equipment operators and tender make?

The median pay is $27.90 per hour — roughly $58,000 a year, with the real range running from about $18.00/hr (10th percentile) to $44.35/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a chemical equipment operators and tender?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

What does a chemical equipment operators and tender actually do all day?

Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions. Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results. Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.