As of June 2026, Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders has an AI-exposure score of 61/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

61/100
Elevated exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 72% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$58,040. About 14,400 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Production roles

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (you)
61
Biofuels Processing Technicians
61
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
61
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
61
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
62
Chemical Plant and System Operators
60
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable
  • Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.
  • Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
  • Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
  • Open valves or start pumps, agitators, reactors, blowers, or automatic feed of materials.
  • Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
  • Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, concentrations, or viscosities, or send them to laboratories for testing.
  • Direct activities of workers assisting in control or verification of processes or in unloading of materials.
  • Implement appropriate industrial emergency response procedures.
  • Notify maintenance engineers of equipment malfunctions.
Augmentable
  • Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
  • Measure, weigh, and mix chemical ingredients, according to specifications.
  • 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.
  • Dump or scoop prescribed solid, granular, or powdered materials into equipment.
  • Estimate materials required for production and manufacturing of products.
  • Drain equipment, and pump water or other solutions through to flush and clean tanks or equipment.
  • Add treating or neutralizing agents to products, and pump products through filters or centrifuges to remove impurities or to precipitate products.
  • Read plant specifications to determine products, ingredients, or prescribed modifications of plant procedures.
  • Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
  • Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks or malfunctions, shutting equipment down, if necessary.
  • Observe and compare colors and consistencies of products to instrument readings and to laboratory and standard test results.
Durable

No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (55%).

Safer adjacent roles

Chemical Plant and System Operators
80% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$78,120
60
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
64% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$48,750
50
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
56% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$43,530
54
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
48% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$60,020
61
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$43,960
45
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$48,040
54
Biomass Plant Technicians
40% skills overlap · High exposure · ~US$102,040
63

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.