Overview
Chemical plant machine operators monitor and operate units and machinery to blend, mix, process and package a wide range of specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cleaning and toiletry products. They are primarily employed in chemical, cleaning compound, ink and adhesive industries, but may also be employed by chemical processing departments in other industries.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Monitor meters, gauges and electronic instrumentation on one or more chemical processing or formulation units, such as mixers, kettles, blenders, dryers, tabletting, encapsulation, granulation and coating machines
Measure, weigh and load chemical ingredients following formulation cards
Start up, shut down, troubleshoot and clean equipment
Adjust processing machines and equipment
Monitor reaction processes and transfers of products in conformance with safety procedures
Take samples and perform routine chemical and physical tests of products
Record production data
May operate equipment from a control room or from control consoles located near the production units.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$37,541
$39,314
$62,568
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
69expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Completion of several weeks of on-the-job training or informal/formal company training is usually required.
Completion of additional training may be required for some operators working in pharmaceutical, explosives and agricultural chemical or in specialty chemical plants.
Additional information
Mobility between employers producing similar products is possible for some of the more skilled operators in this unit group.
Progression to supervisory positions or to process control occupations is possible with experience.
Personal protective equipment may be required when working with some types of chemicals or pharmaceuticals.
Certification requirements
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.