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Chemical Plant and System Operators
Production · SOC 51-8091
0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$78,120
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
2,800
Proj. Annual Openings
16,610
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure0.8%
Top Skills
1.Operations Monitoring
2.Operation and Control
3.Monitoring
4.Quality Control Analysis
5.Critical Thinking
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Common titles: Chemical Operator, Loader Technician, Process Control Operator, Process Development Associate, Process Operator, Process Technician
Representative Tasks
- •Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
- •Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
- •Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
- •Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
- •Inspect operating units, such as towers, soap-spray storage tanks, scrubbers, collectors, or driers to ensure that all are functioning and to maintain maximum efficiency.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
- •Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment.
- •Inspect production equipment.
- •Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
- •Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
Tools & Technologies
Microsoft Excel · hotMicrosoft Office software · hotMicrosoft Word · hotAlarm management system softwareCoordinated incident management system CIMS softwareDistributed control system DCSInterlock shutdown systems
Related Occupations
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
0.5%
Avg AI Exposure
1
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Outlook | Average | 4% Bright |
| Median Salary | $78,120 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |