Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

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Operators watch control screens and walk the plant, checking gauges, valves, pumps, tanks and mixers. They take samples, adjust temperatures and flows, and shut things down safely when something goes wrong. The group includes chemical and gas plant operators, refinery and biofuels workers, pump and compressor station operators, and people who run separating and filtering machines. Plants run day and night, so many operators work rotating shifts.

Open the chemical plant operator guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

• Chemistry · Science

  Builds chemistry, which this job uses.

• Pre-Algebra · Math

  Builds math, which this job uses.

• Welding and Metal Fabrication · Career and Technical

  Builds how things are made, which this job uses.

• Computer Science Principles · Computer Science

  Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.

• English 10 · English

  Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

• Physical Education · Health and PE

  Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.