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Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

51-8091 Chemical Plant and System Operators



Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 14022$30.68/hr$24.96/hr$26.37/hr$29.54/hr$34.34/hr$38.01/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Manufacturing260$30.90/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Southwest Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Rochester MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA N/AN/AN/A
St Cloud MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Central Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Southwest Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Southeast Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Southeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 140$29.54/hr-0.4%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 150$29.55/hrN/A
Minnesota 260$30.90/hr3.7%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Power Plant Operators 560$50.79/hr-17.8%
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gagers 580$52.38/hrN/A
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 1,810$24.23/hr-1.0%


  • Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.
  • Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
  • Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
  • Inspect operating units, such as towers, soap-spray storage tanks, scrubbers, collectors, or driers to ensure that all are functioning and to maintain maximum efficiency.
  • Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
  • 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.
  • Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
  • Interpret chemical reactions visible through sight glasses or on television monitors and review laboratory test reports for process adjustments.
  • Direct workers engaged in operating machinery that regulates the flow of materials and products.