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Industrial Chemicals Workers


Overview

Industrial Chemicals Workers

Introduction

Industrial chemicals workers are employed in a variety of interrelated and interdependent industries and companies in which one operation often makes chemical starting materials for another's use. Most chemical workers convert the starting products or raw materials into other chemical compounds and derivative products, such as pharmaceuticals, plastics, solvents, and paints. They may assist chemists and chemical engineers in researching, developing, and producing chemical products and processes. In addition to being actively engaged...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$55,000

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Employment Prospects

Poor

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Minimum Education Level

Apprenticeship
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Experience

On-the-job training
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Skills

Computer
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Personality Traits

Conventional
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Earnings

In May 2018, median annual earnings for chemical equipment operators and tenders were $48,770, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries ranged from less than $29,050 to $77,660 or more. Chemical plant and system operators earned median annual salaries of $62,060, while mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders averaged $37,210. Industrial production managers ...

Work Environment

Working conditions in plants vary, depending on specific jobs, the type and condition of the equipment used, and the size and age of the plant. Chemical processing jobs used to be very dangerous, dirty, and disagreeable. However, working conditions have steadily improved over the years as a result of environmental, safety, and health standards mandated by the government. Due to government inter...

Outlook

While the output and productivity of the industrial chemicals industry is expected to increase, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts that growth in this field will decline through 2028. More efficient production processes, increased plant automation, and growing competition with overseas chemical manufacturers will limit job growth for production workers in this industry.

Advances in te...