Chemical Plant Machine Operators

(NOC 9421)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Chemical plant machine operators monitor and use machinery to blend, mix, process and package a wide range of specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cleaning and toiletry products. They work for chemical, cleaning compound, ink and adhesive industries, but may also work for chemical processing departments in other industries.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
Estimate openings due to growth and retirements not available for this occupation.
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Estimate 75 employment change, 2019-2021
Estimate 1460 openings due to growth and retirements, 2018-2020
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Chemical Plant Machine Operators most commonly work full-time hours.

The median employment income for 60% of Chemical Plant Machine Operators who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $21,755. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$21,704

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$23.91

Median

$35.04

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Chemical plant machine operators:

Watch meters, gauges and electronic instrumentation on one or more chemical or formulation units like 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 do regular chemical and physical tests of products.
Record production data.
May run equipment from a control room or from control consoles located near the production units.

Sample job titles

batch mixer
blender
capsule machine operator
evaporator operator
formulations blender operator
glue blender
granulator machine operator
mixer
screener
soap maker

Skills

You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical skill are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

High school is usually required.
Mixer and blender operators usually need several months to one year of informal, on-the-job training.
Some operators working in pharmaceutical, explosives and agricultural chemical or in specialty chemical plants need more than one year of formal and informal company training.
Experience in chemical products processing as an assistant, labourer or helper may be necessary for some jobs.
Certification in the transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), first aid, firefighting or workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) may be necessary.

Other considerations

Experience as an assistant, helper, tender or packer, often in the same company, may be required as an entry point to these positions. Movement between employers making similar products is possible for some of the more skilled operators in this group. Movement to supervisor positions or to process control jobs is possible with experience. Personal protective equipment may be required when working with some types of chemicals or pharmaceuticals.

By the numbers

Quick look

employed in 2016

93.3%

employed full-time

13.3%

self employed

33.3%

66.7%

38.2

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%

72.4%

44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

26.7%

North Shore

26.7%

Halifax

20.0%

Annapolis Valley

13.3%

Southern

13.3%

Cape Breton

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

53.8%

Manufacturing

15.4%

Health care and social assistance

15.4%

Accommodation and food services

15.4%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

27.0%

25-34

27.0%

35-44

20.0%

55-64

13.0%

45-54

13.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

40.0%

High school

N/A

26.7%

Less than high school

N/A

13.3%

College Diploma

N/A

13.3%

Bachelor

N/A

13.3%

Apprenticeship

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income

23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income

19.9%

College Diploma

$38,781 median annual income

12.2%

Apprenticeship

$43,975 median annual income

4.5%

Bachelor

$39,715 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Adult Learning

PO Box 220

Halifax, NS B3J 2M4

(866) 679-6722

admissions@nscc.ca

Website

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Website

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Website

Engineering - General

This program is typically offered at the university level.

This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to solve a wide variety of practical problems in industry, social organization, public works, and commerce.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

15 University Avenue

Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6

(902) 542-2201

agi@acadiau.ca

Website

Dalhousie University

Office of the Registrar

Halifax, NS B3H 4R2

(902) 494-2450

admissions@dal.ca