Career Paths From Chemical Plant and System Operators

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersLateral Move97.6% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (98% match). Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 24% higher.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$96,710
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersLateral Move95.4% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 26% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$58,040
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsLateral Move91.3% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 23% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$60,020
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Power Plant OperatorsLateral Move92.2% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Power Plant Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Power Plant Operators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 31% higher.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$102,040
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Gas Plant OperatorsLateral Move94.8% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Gas Plant Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Gas Plant Operators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 12% higher.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$87,820
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead PumpersCareer Change92.3% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 21% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$61,770
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and TendersLateral Move93.5% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 30% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$54,430
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move93.8% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 38% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$48,750
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and TendersLateral Move92.1% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 41% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$46,460
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and TendersLateral Move94.7% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 47% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$41,330
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass FibersLateral Move93.6% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 41% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$46,350
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Locomotive EngineersCareer Change90.8% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Locomotive Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Locomotive Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 4% higher.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$81,410
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Logging Equipment OperatorsCareer Change90.8% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Logging Equipment Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Logging Equipment Operators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 36% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$49,740
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, WoodLateral Move90.7% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 45% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$42,770
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and TendersLateral Move93% skill match
Chemical Plant and System Operators and Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 51% lower.
Current median salary
$78,120
Target median salary
$38,180
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.