Skilled Trades
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.
Median salary (BLS)
$58,040
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$37k – $92k
Job outlook
+3% (about average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Entry / Junior
$37,440
~2 yrs to advance
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Established
$58,040
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Senior
$75,145
Key skills
A typical 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.
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.