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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $57,090 in the US and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.51 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £33,959 a year for Chemical and related process operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £28,813 to £42,542 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8113). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Chemical equipment operators and tenders, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
What you'd actually do
- 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.
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Chemical equipment operators and tenders do?
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.
How much does Chemical equipment operators and tenders earn?
The median annual salary for Chemical equipment operators and tenders in the US is $57,090.
What is the job outlook for Chemical equipment operators and tenders?
The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 128,900 workers.
How do I become chemical equipment operators and tenders?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Chemical equipment operators and tenders need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Chemical equipment operators and tenders?
Our AI-durability model gives Chemical equipment operators and tenders a score of 0.51 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Chemical equipment operators and tenders has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.