SOC 51-8091.00 · Clean Fuels

Biomass Plant Operator: $50,330 Median Pay

Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

Median Annual Wage

$50,330
BLS OES national median for SOC 51-8091.00.

O*NET Job Zone

2 / 5
High school / long-term training

Sector

Clean Fuels
20 alternate job titles · 10 related occupations

1. What They Actually Do

Complete task inventory from O*NET (19 tasks).

  1. Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions. (Core)
  2. Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel. (Core)
  3. Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment. (Core)
  4. Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields. (Core)
  5. Inspect operating units, such as towers, soap-spray storage tanks, scrubbers, collectors, or driers to ensure that all are functioning and to maintain maximum efficiency. (Core)
  6. Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met. (Core)
  7. Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings. (Core)
  8. Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing. (Core)
  9. Turn valves to regulate flow of products or byproducts through agitator tanks, storage drums, or neutralizer tanks. (Core)
  10. Interpret chemical reactions visible through sight glasses or on television monitors and review laboratory test reports for process adjustments. (Core)
  11. Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality. (Core)
  12. Start pumps to wash and rinse reactor vessels, to exhaust gases or vapors, to regulate the flow of oil, steam, air, or perfume to towers, or to add products to converter or blending vessels. (Core)
  13. Notify maintenance, stationary engineering, or other auxiliary personnel to correct equipment malfunctions or to adjust power, steam, water, or air supplies. (Core)
  14. Repair or replace damaged equipment. (Core)
  15. Gauge tank levels, using calibrated rods. (Supplemental)
  16. Calculate material requirements or yields according to formulas. (Supplemental)
  17. Direct workers engaged in operating machinery that regulates the flow of materials and products. (Supplemental)
  18. Supervise the cleaning of towers, strainers, or spray tips. (Supplemental)
  19. Defrost frozen valves, using steam hoses. (Supplemental)

2. Required Competencies

2.1 Skills

Operations Monitoring4.12
Operation and Control4.00
Quality Control Analysis3.62
Monitoring3.62
Critical Thinking3.50
Active Listening3.38
Time Management3.25
Judgment and Decision Making3.25
Complex Problem Solving3.25
Active Learning3.25

2.2 Knowledge

Production and Processing3.70
Chemistry3.69
Mechanical3.62
English Language3.51
Public Safety and Security3.34
Customer and Personal Service3.08
Mathematics2.86
Education and Training2.60
Computers and Electronics2.54
Physics2.31

2.3 Abilities

Near Vision3.75
Selective Attention3.75
Problem Sensitivity3.75
Deductive Reasoning3.62
Oral Expression3.62
Oral Comprehension3.62
Far Vision3.50
Control Precision3.50
Perceptual Speed3.50
Information Ordering3.50

2.4 Work Styles

Dependability4.55
Attention to Detail4.31
Integrity4.29
Stress Tolerance4.03
Analytical Thinking3.70
Cooperation3.67
Initiative3.66
Independence3.63
Concern for Others3.61
Self-Control3.60

3. Day-to-Day Work

3.1 Generalized Work Activities

Getting Information4.62
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings4.55
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.36
Controlling Machines and Processes4.19
Training and Teaching Others4.04
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards4.04
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials3.84
Making Decisions and Solving Problems3.83
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates3.71
Working with Computers3.60

3.2 Work Context (5-point scale)

Face-to-Face Discussions4.99
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets4.98
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions4.94
Exposed to Contaminants4.85
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable4.80
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled4.76
Frequency of Decision Making4.66
Telephone4.59
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather4.54
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.54

4. Education, Training & Experience

Related Work Experience (Years)

Related Work Experience24.2%
Related Work Experience17.9%
Related Work Experience15.8%
Related Work Experience13.3%
Related Work Experience12.8%
Related Work Experience12.2%

PT

On-Site or In-Plant Training50.9%
On-Site or In-Plant Training13.6%
On-Site or In-Plant Training12.8%
On-Site or In-Plant Training12.7%
On-Site or In-Plant Training5.5%
On-Site or In-Plant Training3.4%

Required Level of Education

Required Level of Education61.5%
Required Level of Education36.3%
Required Level of Education1.0%
Required Level of Education0.5%
Required Level of Education0.3%
Required Level of Education0.2%

OJ

On-the-Job Training32.1%
On-the-Job Training25.0%
On-the-Job Training14.7%
On-the-Job Training13.4%
On-the-Job Training12.2%
On-the-Job Training1.7%

5. Interests (Holland Codes)

Realistic6.27
Conventional5.23
Investigative3.26
Enterprising1.67
Social1.32
Artistic1.00

6. Work Values

Support5.67
Working Conditions4.67
Independence4.33
Relationships4.00
Achievement3.33
Recognition3.00

7. Technology & Tools

Software and tools used by people in this role, per O*NET. “Hot” technologies are flagged by O*NET as in-demand.

Microsoft Excel 🔥 Microsoft Office software 🔥 Microsoft Word 🔥 Alarm management system software Coordinated incident management system CIMS software Distributed control system DCS Interlock shutdown systems

8. Also Known As

20 alternate job titles used by employers for this occupation.

Ammonia Still Operator Ammonia Technician Badger Distiller Operator Bucket Wash Operator Chemical Operator Chemical Plant Operator Chemical Treatment Plant Technician Denitrator Front Wash Operator Furnace Plant Operator Furnace Process Plant Operator Furnace Utility Operator Hydrogenation Operator Loader Technician Naphtha Washing System Operator Nitric Acid Plant Operator Nitrogen Operator Pharmaceutical Development Technician Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Machine Operator Pharmaceutical Operator

9. Related Occupations

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Power Plant Operators
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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
SOC 51-8031.00 · Primary-Short
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
SOC 51-8093.00 · Primary-Short
Biomass Plant Technicians
SOC 51-8013.03 · Primary-Long
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
SOC 51-9192.00 · Primary-Long
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
SOC 53-7071.00 · Primary-Long
Gas Plant Operators
SOC 51-8092.00 · Primary-Long
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
SOC 51-8021.00 · Primary-Long

Data source: O*NET Database 29.1 (tasks, skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, work context, education, technology, alternate titles, related occupations); BLS OES (median wage).

Last updated: April 2026.