# 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-9011.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Chemical Operator
- Multiskill Operator
- Outside Operator
- Vessel Operator
- Chlorination Operator
- Process Operator
- Spray Dry Operator
- Acetone Recovery Worker
- Acetylene Plant Operator
- Acid Bleacher
- Acid Cleaner
- Acid Concentrator

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.k |
| Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.b |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, concentrations, or viscosities, or send them to laboratories for testing. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks or malfunctions, shutting equipment down, if necessary. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Open valves or start pumps, agitators, reactors, blowers, or automatic feed of materials. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Read plant specifications to determine products, ingredients, or prescribed modifications of plant procedures. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Implement appropriate industrial emergency response procedures. | Core | 4.A.4.b.4.j |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Load products into tanks for shipment. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Maintain safety. | 4.A.3.a.1.k |
| Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Mix substances to create chemical solutions. | 4.A.3.a.1.a |
| Inspect production equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products. | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Collect samples of materials or products for testing. | 4.A.3.a.2.b |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs. | 4.A.4.a.2.g |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Operate pumping systems or equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Repair production equipment or tools. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Maintain production or processing equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Lubricate production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards. | 4.A.1.b.2.j |
| Direct operational or production activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Load materials into production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Estimate material requirements for production. | 4.A.2.b.1.h |
| Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products. | 4.A.4.c.3.a |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 4.54 |
| Chemistry | knowledge | 4.38 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 4.07 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.75 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.75 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.75 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.69 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.68 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.62 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.5 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.47 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.47 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.38 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.38 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.38 |
| Law and Government | knowledge | 3.33 |
| Administrative | knowledge | 3.25 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.25 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.25 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.24 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 3.13 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.12 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3.12 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.12 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Operational Databases | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| IBM Notes | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | yes |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| IBM Notes | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| Operational databases | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 5 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.71 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.69 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 4.55 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.46 |
| E-Mail | 4.41 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.41 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.37 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.28 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 4.25 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 4.2 |
| Contact With Others | 4.15 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 4.15 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.12 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 4.03 |
| Time Pressure | 4.02 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.98 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.98 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.95 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.86 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.84 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 3.82 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.82 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.78 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.75 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.72 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.71 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.68 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.66 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.55 |
| Exposed to High Places | 3.49 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 3.47 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.17 |
| Level of Competition | 3.08 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.06 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.03 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.92 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.88 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.86 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.82 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 48.79 |
| Some College Courses | 20.64 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 13.5 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 13.5 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1.8 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 1.77 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.57 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.56 |
| Dependability | work_style | 4 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 3.77 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 3.75 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 3.31 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 3.16 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 3 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 2.83 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.74 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 2.12 |
| Stress Tolerance | work_style | 2.03 |
| Integrity | work_style | 1.86 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 1.7 |
| Self-Control | work_style | 1.66 |
| Life Science | specific_interest_area | 1.65 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-8091.00 | role-51-8091-00 | Chemical Plant and System Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-9012.00 | role-51-9012-00 | Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-8031.00 | role-51-8031-00 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-9192.00 | role-51-9192-00 | Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-4191.00 | role-51-4191-00 | Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-9051.00 | role-51-9051-00 | Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-8013.03 | role-51-8013-03 | Biomass Plant Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 51-4051.00 | role-51-4051-00 | Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-4193.00 | role-51-4193-00 | Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-8093.00 | role-51-8093-00 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | Primary-Long |
| 17-2041.00 | role-17-2041-00 | Chemical Engineers | Supplemental |
| 53-7072.00 | role-53-7072-00 | Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Science Technologies/Technicians | science-technologies-technicians |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 57090
- **Mean Wage:** 59800
- **Pct10Wage:** 37270
- **Pct25Wage:** 45660
- **Pct75Wage:** 71400
- **Pct90Wage:** 88460
- **Employment:** 127410
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 124240 | 57130 | 11.78 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 1260 | 54190 | 0.25 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1020 | 51250 | 0.14 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 660 | 76870 | 0.07 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 630 | 53760 | 0.29 |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry |  | 78140 |  |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector |  | 55710 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 124240 | 11.78 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 630 | 0.29 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 1260 | 0.25 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1020 | 0.14 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 660 | 0.07 |
- **Count:** 7

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.76 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.511521 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.184255 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.6780245 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 29
- **Percentile:** 28
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 35 | felten_aioe |
| 26 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 27 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.511521 | 35 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.21739130434782608 | 26 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.08950689325739927 | 27 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.76
- **Percentile:** 62
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.08695652173913043
- **Beta:** 0.15217391304347827
- **Gamma:** 0.21739130434782608

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. | 0.002156863550649319 | 4.59 |
| Measure, weigh, and mix chemical ingredients, according to specifications. | 0.0017460323981446867 | 4.41 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 3.3
- **Growth Percentile:** 55
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 14.4
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 72
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 128.9
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 133.1

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 23
- **Skills:** 38
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 8
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** bb677dec77d2782d