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Skilled Trades

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.

Median salary (BLS)

$58,040

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$37k – $92k

Job outlook

+3% (about average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Entry / Junior

    $37,440

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Established

    $58,040

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Senior

    $75,145

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
  • •Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
  • •Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
  • •Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
  • •Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.

Fields of study

Any field

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