Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Chemical operator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a chemical operator. Chemical operators usually study business, general studies, or chemical engineering. 35% of chemical operators hold a high school diploma, and 27% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 9,228 real chemical operator resumes to see exactly what chemical operator education sections show.
The most common colleges for chemical operators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online chemical operator courses to help get the education required to be a chemical operator.
There are certain chemical operator certifications that you should consider. These chemical operator certifications include Chemical Process Operator Certificate and OSHA Safety Certificate .
What education do you need to become a chemical operator?
What degree do you need to be a chemical operator?
- High School Diploma, 35%
- Bachelor's, 27%
- Associate, 23%
- Diploma, 8%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a chemical operator?
- Business, 21%
- General Studies, 8%
- Chemistry, 7%
- Other Majors, 56%
Most common colleges for chemical operators
| Chemical operator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 12.25% |
| University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus | 7.62% |
| University of South Carolina - Columbia | 6.62% |
| DeVry University | 6.29% |
| The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga | 5.96% |
Best majors for chemical operators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 21.2% |
| 2 | General Studies | 8.3% |
| 3 | Chemical Engineering | 8.1% |
| 4 | Chemistry | 7.3% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | 5.9% |
Best colleges for chemical operators
The best colleges for chemical operators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A chemical operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for chemical operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become chemical operators.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,570
Enrollment
3,721
3. Ball State University
Muncie, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,896
Enrollment
15,529
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Knoxville, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$13,006
Enrollment
22,653
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
7. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
10. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
20 best online courses for chemical operators
Advertising disclosure
1. Chemical Biology
Chemical biology is a burgeoning field that has rapidly risen to prominence. This surge of interest has been fuelled by chemical biology’s applicability to understanding critical processes in live cells or model organisms in real time. This success has arisen because chemical biology straddles a nexus between chemistry, biology, and physics. Thus, chemical biology can harness rapid chemistry to observe or perturb biological processes, that are in turn reported using physical assays, all in an...
2. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 2
An appreciation of thermodynamics is required to become a chemical and biomolecular engineer. Thermodynamics can assess the viability of a process and is one of the curriculum's most essential topics. The principles are utilized in following engineering courses (kinetics, mass transfer, design, materials) and are applicable to numerous engineering disciplines. The increased emphasis on energy usage and transformation as a result of rising demand, diminishing supply, and global warming...
3. Unit Operations in Chemical Engineering
Learn the most important Unit Operations in Chemical Plants...
4. Process/Chemical Engineering - BOOTCAMP 2021
The only course with over 10 hours practical knowledge about main process equipment Design, Control and Safety...
5. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS
Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...
6. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment
Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...
7. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)
Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...
8. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
9. Aspen Plus V11 Masterclass: From beginner to advanced user
Steady-State Chemical Engineering Simulation & Process Modeling using Aspen Plus V11...
10. OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy and Lock Out / Tag Out
OSHA required training under 29 CFR 1910 and 1926...
11. Aspen Plus - Basic Process Modeling
Learn how to model Basic Industrial and Chemical Processes!...
12. Aspen HYSYS - Basic Process Modeling
Learn how to model basic Industrial and Chemical Processes!...
13. MBA: Supply Chain and Operation management
Tactics, Tools, and Techniques required to become a Supply chain and operation manager...
14. Electrical Power Equipment
Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...
15. Aspen Plus - Intermediate Process Modeling
Learn how to model more Complex Industrial and Chemical Processes!...
16. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance
A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...
17. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
18. Rotating Equipment Masterclass: Pumps & Compressors
A compelete understanding of pumps & compressors used in process industries for a successful operation of your facility...
19. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management
Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...
20. OSHA Safety Pro: Hearing Protection Program
Your guide to preventing hearing loss using OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Standards...
Top 10 most affordable universities for chemical operators
The most affordable schools for chemical operators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for chemical operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for chemical operators.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Cost of attendance
24,718
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for chemical operators
The hardest universities for chemical operators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for chemical operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for chemical operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for chemical operators
The easiest schools for chemical operators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a chemical operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for chemical operators.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average chemical operator salary by education level
| Chemical operator education level | Chemical operator salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $40,077 |
Chemical operator education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common production and manufacturing questions.
Search for chemical operator jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025