Chemical Plant and System Operators
SOC Code: 51-8091 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Chemical Plant and System Operators. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $95,035 | $101,005 | $106,954 | $112,923 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $93,642 | $99,902 | $106,184 | $112,445 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $87,630 | $95,659 | $103,709 | $111,738 |
| East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $87,630 | $95,659 | $103,709 | $111,738 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $87,630 | $95,659 | $103,709 | $111,738 |
| Minot, ND | $87,630 | $95,659 | $103,709 | $111,738 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $63,606 | $78,957 | $94,328 | $109,678 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $64,168 | $79,186 | $94,182 | $109,200 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $73,258 | $85,176 | $97,115 | $109,034 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $73,258 | $85,176 | $97,115 | $109,034 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.1 | |
| Operation and Control | 4.0 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.6 | |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 | |
| Active Listening | 3.4 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.2 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Production and Processing | 3.7 |
| Chemistry | 3.7 |
| Mechanical | 3.6 |
| English Language | 3.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.3 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 2.9 |
| Education and Training | 2.6 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 61.5% |
| Bachelor's degree | 36.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
- Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
- Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
- Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
- Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality.
- Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
- Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
- Start pumps to wash and rinse reactor vessels, to exhaust gases or vapors, to regulate the flow of oil, steam, air, or perfume to towers, or to add products to converter or blending vessels.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Word Alarm management system software Coordinated incident management system CIMS software Distributed control system DCS Interlock shutdown systems
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