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.
- O*NET-SOC code
51-9011.00 - Preparation Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$58,040
Employment, U.S.139,630
Median hourly wage$27.90
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37,440 | $45,970 | $58,040 | $74,080 | $92,250 |
By state (47)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,280 | $80,330 | 1.73 |
| Arizona | 1,330 | $45,790 | 0.46 |
| Arkansas | 1,160 | $64,440 | 0.99 |
| California | 5,670 | $58,300 | 0.35 |
| Colorado | 910 | $50,370 | 0.35 |
| Connecticut | 860 | $58,490 | 0.57 |
| Delaware | 1,160 | $63,200 | 2.66 |
| Florida | 4,270 | $44,360 | 0.48 |
| Georgia | 4,330 | $49,660 | 0.99 |
| Hawaii | 30 | $47,840 | 0.06 |
| Idaho | 550 | $77,100 | 0.72 |
| Illinois | 5,580 | $61,940 | 1.02 |
| Indiana | 6,240 | $56,800 | 2.17 |
| Iowa | 2,010 | $57,550 | 1.43 |
| Kansas | 1,920 | $54,890 | 1.49 |
| Kentucky | 3,590 | $57,530 | 2.00 |
| Louisiana | 6,430 | $78,580 | 3.70 |
| Maine | 250 | $57,240 | 0.44 |
| Maryland | 1,220 | $59,850 | 0.49 |
| Massachusetts | 2,860 | $56,920 | 0.88 |
| Michigan | 5,210 | $50,060 | 1.32 |
| Minnesota | 1,170 | $53,340 | 0.44 |
| Mississippi | 990 | $64,360 | 0.94 |
| Missouri | 2,790 | $50,640 | 1.06 |
| Montana | 40 | $79,570 | 0.08 |
| Nebraska | 1,020 | $59,750 | 1.11 |
| Nevada | 210 | $58,520 | 0.15 |
| New Hampshire | 350 | $49,440 | 0.57 |
| New Jersey | 8,560 | $56,500 | 2.23 |
| New Mexico | 170 | $60,910 | 0.22 |
| New York | 4,270 | $49,640 | 0.49 |
| North Carolina | 5,260 | $49,650 | 1.19 |
| Ohio | 7,830 | $60,550 | 1.57 |
| Oklahoma | 790 | $50,160 | 0.52 |
| Oregon | 950 | $56,510 | 0.54 |
| Pennsylvania | 6,230 | $56,630 | 1.14 |
| Rhode Island | 430 | $69,630 | 0.96 |
| South Carolina | 4,040 | $56,240 | 1.95 |
| South Dakota | 230 | $48,830 | 0.55 |
| Tennessee | 3,860 | $60,960 | 1.31 |
| Texas | 20,880 | $60,150 | 1.65 |
| Utah | 2,610 | $39,020 | 1.68 |
| Virginia | 2,040 | $59,970 | 0.55 |
| Washington | 1,720 | $67,300 | 0.54 |
| West Virginia | 1,190 | $66,060 | 1.89 |
| Wisconsin | 2,730 | $50,870 | 1.03 |
| Wyoming | 290 | $101,590 | 1.16 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemical Plant and System Operators | 1-2 | 0.972 |
| 2 | Biomass Plant Technicians | 1-2 | 0.970 |
| 3 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | 1-2 | 0.968 |
| 4 | Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | 1-2 | 0.967 |
| 5 | Biofuels Processing Technicians | 1-2 | 0.967 |
| 6 | Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1-2 | 0.963 |
| 7 | Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1-2 | 0.963 |
| 8 | Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | 1-2 | 0.961 |
| 9 | Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | 1-2 | 0.960 |
| 10 | Power Plant Operators | 1-2 | 0.958 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | Operations Monitoring | 0.87 | 0.968 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Repairing | 1.25 | 0.963 |
| Power Plant Operators | Repairing | 1.37 | 0.958 |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | Repairing | 1.13 | 0.955 |
| Printing Press Operators | Repairing | 1.37 | 0.952 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | Repairing | 1.13 | 0.951 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | Repairing | 1.25 | 0.950 |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders | Repairing | 1.25 | 0.948 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Repairing | 1.25 | 0.943 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Repairing | 1.13 | 0.937 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders, excluding software Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Distributed control system DCS | 3 of 20 | 13.8x |
| Inventory control software | 3 of 20 | 8.7x |
| Computerized maintenance management system CMMS | 3 of 20 | 4.6x |
| Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software | 4 of 20 | 3.0x |
| Inventory tracking software | 3 of 20 | 3.1x |
| Email software | 6 of 20 | 1.0x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.62 | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.12 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.75 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.12 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.12 |
| Science | Essential skill | 2.50 | 2.00 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.38 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.75 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.62 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.50 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 3.96 | 4.16 |
| Production and Processing | 3.90 | 4.00 |
| Mathematics | 3.50 | 3.06 |
| Mechanical | 3.09 | 3.39 |
| English Language | 2.90 | 2.32 |
| Education and Training | 2.87 | 2.99 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.78 | 3.17 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.72 | 2.49 |
| Administration and Management | 2.70 | 2.56 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.68 | 2.63 |
| Administrative | 2.38 | 1.41 |
| Physics | 2.15 | 1.92 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.10 | 1.78 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.00 | 1.72 |
| Telecommunications | 1.98 | not rated |
| Law and Government | 1.91 | not rated |
| Transportation | 1.82 | 1.35 |
| Design | 1.78 | not rated |
| Building and Construction | 1.78 | 1.72 |
| Biology | 1.76 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.66 | not rated |
| Sales and Marketing | 1.53 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.49 | 0.41 |
| Economics and Accounting | 1.46 | not rated |
| Communications and Media | 1.39 | not rated |
| Psychology | 1.20 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.19 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.18 | not rated |
| Foreign Language | 1.12 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.10 | not rated |
| Geography | 1.09 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.09 | not rated |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.09 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Near Vision | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.75 | 3.62 |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Control Precision | 3.62 | 3.50 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.62 | 3.50 |
| Oral Expression | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Information Ordering | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.12 | 3.50 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Reaction Time | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Rate Control | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Written Expression | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Selective Attention | 3.00 | 3.50 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 3.00 | 3.38 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Auditory Attention | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Far Vision | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Finger Dexterity | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Trunk Strength | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Visualization | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Speech Clarity | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Speech Recognition | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Time Sharing | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Response Orientation | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Depth Perception | 2.62 | 2.75 |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.62 | 2.75 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Static Strength | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.62 | 2.12 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.50 | 2.38 |
| Memorization | 2.50 | 2.12 |
| Number Facility | 2.25 | 2.62 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Glare Sensitivity | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Dynamic Strength | 2.12 | 1.75 |
| Stamina | 2.12 | 1.75 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Originality | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Spatial Orientation | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Explosive Strength | 2.00 | 1.25 |
| Peripheral Vision | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Night Vision | 1.88 | 0.88 |
| Sound Localization | 1.88 | 0.88 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.75 | 1.38 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.25 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft Outlook in demand
- SAP software in demand
- Microsoft PowerPoint hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- IBM Notes
- Operational databases
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | 1,320 | 14.49 | $74,220 |
| Decatur, AL | 760 | 13.77 | $82,170 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 1,540 | 10.48 | $96,790 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 330 | 10.16 | $66,060 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 2,500 | 6.81 | $93,920 |
| Evansville, IN | 760 | 6.24 | $62,870 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 340 | 6.21 | $60,590 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 600 | 5.52 | $49,400 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | 240 | 5.23 | $67,510 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | 250 | 4.53 | $58,220 |