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Boston Career Explorer

Production

Chemical Plant and System Operators

Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

Also called: Chemical Operator, Chemical Plant Operations Technician (Chemical Plan Operations Tech), Chemical Plant Production Operator, Chemical Process Control Operator, Plant Technician (Plant Tech), Process Control Operator

Median pay in Greater Boston
$82,170
$39.50/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
410
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−3.6%
20 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$64,870$80,710$82,170$98,590$98,600

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
  • Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
  • 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.
  • Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
  • Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Lower exposure33 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 36
  • Language-model AIOE 31
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 32

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is lower, and observed AI use is little or none. AI tools may help with watching instruments, logging data, and tracking process readings. Adjusting equipment, taking product samples, and handling warning signals still rely on trained people, though Massachusetts jobs are projected to shrink.

Likely to change

  • Monitoring instruments and flowmeters
  • Recording process conditions and test results

Still relies on people

  • Adjusting equipment during chemical processes
  • Drawing samples and judging quality

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

    Your work with control systems and records carries over to repairing valves and control devices, with higher pay and growth.

    Pay difference
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    AI exposure
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    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

    Process and flow knowledge carry over to piping systems. An apprenticeship leads to higher pay and steady growth.

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    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

    Quality checks and following exact standards carry over to inspecting and certifying repairs. It needs a postsecondary award.

    Pay difference
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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

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