Chemical Plant & System Operators
Code: 51-8091.00
Zone 2
Median Annual Salary
£78,120
Range: £48,400 - £111,930
Preparation & Education
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Job Zone 2
Industry Outlook
Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Role Overview & What They Do
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Also Known As (Alternative Job Titles)
Chemical Operator
Chemical Plant Operations Technician (Chemical Plan Operations Tech)
Chemical Plant Production Operator
Chemical Process Control Operator
Plant Technician (Plant Tech)
Process Control Operator
Process Development Associate
Process Operator
Process Technician (Process Tech)
Production Technician (Production Tech)
Daily Duties & On-The-Job Tasks
- Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
- Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
- Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
Technology, Tools & Software Stack
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Industrial control software
Alarm management system software
Distributed control system DCS
Network security or virtual private network VPN management software
Coordinated incident management system CIMS software
Core Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
product and service development
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
chemistry
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
order or arrange things
Visual Understanding
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
Personality & Work Styles
Top Interest: Realistic
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
Key Work Styles:
Stress Tolerance
Self-Control
Cautiousness
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Frequently Asked Questions About Chemical Plant & System Operators
In the UK, the median annual salary for a Chemical Plant & System Operators is £78,120. Starting salaries (10th percentile) typically begin around £48,400, while highly experienced professionals (90th percentile) can earn upwards of £111,930 depending on location and experience.
Entry as a Chemical Plant & System Operators typically aligns with Job Zone 2 (Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed). Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some careers may not.
Essential skills and tooling for a Chemical Plant & System Operators include: Microsoft Excel, Alarm management system software, Distributed control system DCS, Coordinated incident management system CIMS software. Practitioners also benefit from strong analytical problem solving and communication skills.
New job opportunities are less likely in the future. (Industry demand rating: Below Average).
Live UK Vacancies for Chemical Plant & System Operators
Search AllChemical Operator
AbbVie
aprilia
Permanent
Chemical Operator Job
Arkema
piemonte
Permanent
Chemical Operator: Process Control & Production
AbbVie
aprilia
Permanent
Chemical Technician - Pilot Plant Operator
Vateris
nottingham
Permanent
Instrument Technician, Chemical Production Plant
VerifyUs
southampton
Permanent
Chemical Plant Operator — Shift Roles & Growth
Polynt Group
bergamo
Permanent
Salary Distribution
10th Percentile (Entry):
£48,400
Median Annual (Average):
£78,120
90th Percentile (Senior):
£111,930
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Occupational Terms
#realistic interests
#equipment
#product
#system of machines
#malfunction
#test result
#control
#indicator
#supervisory personnel