What Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Adjust controls to regulate temperature, pressure, feed, or flow of liquids or gases and times of prescribed reactions, according to knowledge of equipment and processes"; "Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions"; "Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained"; "Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products"; "Measure, weigh, and mix chemical ingredients, according to specifications".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 140,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 145,800 in 2035, an increase of 5,000 jobs (+3.6%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 13,900 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,040, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $54,708 in New York to $70,330 in Texas, a gap of $15,622 (1.29 times). 1 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $58,040 and 2 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 19,260, which is 44.9% of the 42,890 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 13,110.
Highest-paying states
Texas ($70,330), New Jersey ($56,797) and New York ($54,708) lead the ranking, while New York ($54,708) and New Jersey ($56,797) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Harris County, TX (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX) at $42,231. The smallest margin is $2,859 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 3 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 23.5% and 74.9% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (51-9000) include Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders and Helpers--Production Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,040. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $54,708 to $70,330.
Which state pays Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders the most?
Texas, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $70,330. New Jersey is next at $56,797.
Is Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,900 openings a year.
What education do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Harris County, TX leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $42,231 on a median wage of $79,430.