What does a chemical operator do?
A chemical operator is responsible for maintaining heavy machines and equipment for chemical processing operations. Chemical operators inspect machinery for any malfunctions, perform immediate repairs, and replace defective components as needed to ensure the equipment's safety and efficiency. They carefully handle chemicals, observe the mixing process, and support process development by assisting on strategic procedures to maximize productivity and plan initiatives. A chemical operator must adhere to the safety protocols of the production, especially on storing chemicals, recording information to the database, and operating machines.
Chemical operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real chemical operator resumes:
- Manage multiple large volume fermentation tanks simultaneously.
- Add dye to chemical to be mix.
- Mix chemicals together to make a base for dye.
- License by the NRC for operation of facility reactor.
- Provide the QC lab with batch samples as instructed by formula cards for quality disposition.
- Use Hmi's to control the product being make and sending it to storage tanks.
- Activate mixing tank agitators and set timer to mix ingredients for specify period of time.
- Sample density and viscosity of final product and relay specs to QC department for final results.
- Start motors and engage machinery, such as airplane sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.
- Complete all batch records in compliance with GMP standards, ensuring that each batch is manufactured with proper ingredients and quantities.
- Operate and maintain the industrial chemical mixers through a combination of control switch & touch actuate system calibration and product replenishment.
- Prepare finished products by shrink-wrapping pallets.
- Operate distiller units and centrifuges for recovery.
- Deposit ingredients into mixers by quantity allocation.
- Stack finish containers on pallets per specifications.
Chemical operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Chemical Operators are proficient in Safety Procedures, Math, and Process Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Physical health, and Visual ability.
We break down the percentage of Chemical Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Procedures, 8%
Followed manufacturing operations and assured compliance with plant quality, environmental, and safety procedures.
- Math, 5%
Use a variety of math skills to follow instructions to a tee.
- Process Equipment, 5%
Monitor process equipment operating parameters and make adjustments as necessary to maintain safe and efficient operation according to standard operating procedures.
- Basic Math, 4%
Adhered to all rules and regulations.Skills UsedBasic mathematics, forklift, troubleshooting, job skills.
- Minor Maintenance, 4%
Conduct routine operating inspections of the unit, troubleshoot operational problems and perform minor maintenance.
- Troubleshoot, 4%
Utilized process drawings and manuals to troubleshoot unit components to obtain maximum production.
"safety procedures," "math," and "process equipment" are among the most common skills that chemical operators use at work. You can find even more chemical operator responsibilities below, including:
Hand-eye coordination. The most essential soft skill for a chemical operator to carry out their responsibilities is hand-eye coordination. This skill is important for the role because "drivers of heavy trucks and tractor-trailers must be able to coordinate their legs, hands, and eyes simultaneously so that they will react appropriately to the situation around them and drive the vehicle safely." Additionally, a chemical operator resume shows how their duties depend on hand-eye coordination: "maintain control and coordination of operations sing dcs computer system.also control room operator. "
Physical health. Many chemical operator duties rely on physical health. "federal regulations do not allow people to become truck drivers if they have a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, which may interfere with their ability to operate a truck," so a chemical operator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways chemical operator responsibilities rely on physical health: "operate plant's on site biological wastewater treatment facility as a licensed operator hazmat trained scba trained and physically approved for wear"
Visual ability. This is an important skill for chemical operators to perform their duties. For an example of how chemical operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a chemical operator: "unload raw materials from rail cars and tanker trucks; monitor chemical process visually and via computer system. ".
The three companies that hire the most chemical operators are:
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Compare different chemical operators
Chemical operator vs. Manufacturing operator
A manufacturing operator is primarily responsible for overseeing and controlling the performance of machines and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring production operations, conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of machinery, performing corrective measures and adjustments as needed, and assessing the quality of finished products, all while adhering to deadlines and goals. Furthermore, it is vital to comply with the company's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, chemical operator responsibilities require skills like "minor maintenance," "troubleshoot," "ladders," and "chemical process." Meanwhile a typical manufacturing operator has skills in areas such as "hand tools," "lean manufacturing," "iso," and "quality products." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Manufacturing operators tend to make the most money working in the pharmaceutical industry, where they earn an average salary of $37,500. In contrast, chemical operators make the biggest average salary, $45,708, in the pharmaceutical industry.On average, manufacturing operators reach similar levels of education than chemical operators. Manufacturing operators are 2.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Chemical operator vs. Production operator
A production operator is responsible for handling and monitoring manufacturing machines in a factory or similar establishment, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. Aside from assisting with the processing and packaging of goods, a production operator must also conduct necessary inspections to the machine or equipment that they are using to make sure that it is in good condition and is safe to use. Should there be any issues or concerns regarding safety, it is essential to notify a supervisor right away.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, chemical operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "troubleshoot," "chemical process," "distillation," and "hazardous materials." Meanwhile, a production operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "quality checks," "hand tools," "customer service," and "data entry." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, production operators earn a lower salary than chemical operators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, production operators earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $37,865. Whereas chemical operators have higher pay in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $45,708.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Production operators tend to reach similar levels of education than chemical operators. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Chemical operator vs. Distillation operator
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, chemical operators are more likely to have skills like "safety procedures," "math," "basic math," and "minor maintenance." But a distillation operator is more likely to have skills like "r," "ran," "laboratory analysis," and "response operations."
Most distillation operators achieve a similar degree level compared to chemical operators. For example, they're 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Chemical operator vs. Nitrogen operator
Types of chemical operator
Updated January 8, 2025
