Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Production
Reactor vessels, steam-jacketed kettles, and related equipment are run so industrial or consumer products go through the intended chemical change. Temperature, pressure, feed, and reaction time are adjusted based on how the equipment and process work, while gauges and flowmeters are watched to hold those conditions. Work areas are patrolled for leaks or malfunctions; samples are drawn at set stages and tested for things like pH, concentration, or viscosity, or sent to a lab. Temperatures, pressures, ingredients, and test results are recorded, and fire and explosion precautions stay in place throughout. It fits those who like close instrument watching, careful control of reactions, and strict safety habits.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$58'040
Median Wage Market Position
$58'040
What you might do
- Tend kettles and reactors through chemical process steps
- Dial in temperature, pressure, feed, and reaction times
- Read gauges and flowmeters to hold set conditions
- Patrol work areas for leaks or faulty equipment
- Draw samples to test pH, gravity, or viscosity
- Follow fire and explosion rules around reactors
Skills that matter
- Monitoring gauges on reactor vessels
- Adjusting temperature, pressure, and feed
- Logging times, pressures, and test results
- Reading process charts and instructions
- Passing along leak and malfunction reports
- Deciding when reaction settings should change
AI & the future of this role
Automated process controls and sensors may take over more routine monitoring and setpoint adjustments. Hands-on equipment tending, safety judgment during upsets, and liability around hazardous chemicals still support a solid share of this work.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details