How To Become A Process Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a process operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A process operator is an individual responsible for overseeing and monitoring various industrial processes in manufacturing plants, chemical plants, and oil refineries. They are responsible for ensuring that processes run smoothly and efficiently, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and making necessary adjustments to maintain optimal performance. Process operators use various tools and equipment to measure and analyze data, monitor production levels, and identify potential hazards. A process operator plays a critical role in maintaining the quality of products.

ScoreProcess OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $37,996

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.1

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.70%

Asian 4.48%

Black or African American 11.70%

Hispanic or Latino 20.28%

Unknown 4.06%

White 58.78%

Gender

female 29.93%

male 70.07%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a process operator?

Pros

High demand for skilled operators
Job stability and security
Ability to solve complex problems
Flexibility in work schedule
Hands-on experience with production processes

Cons

High stress environment
Long hours and shift work
Risk of injury from operating machinery
Strict safety regulations can be limiting
Constant need for attention to detail

Key steps to become a process operator

Explore process operator education requirements

Most common process operator degrees

Bachelor's

35.8 %

Associate

26.3 %

High School Diploma

24.1 %

Start to develop specific process operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Safety Procedures	7.82%
Preventative Maintenance	7.29%
Team-Oriented Environment	6.56%
Ladders	5.19%
Customer Service	4.46%

Complete relevant process operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New process operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a process operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real process operator resumes.

Research process operator duties and responsibilities

Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
Climb ladders to inspect manholes, check temps, sometimes gather samples for lab analysis.
Demonstrate ability to perform basic math (add, subtract, multiply, divide, ratios, weights & measures).
Control product temperatures and monitor gauges.

Prepare your process operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your process operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a process operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable process operator resume templates

Build a professional process operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your process operator resume.