Other Machine Operators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Machine Operators includes a range of occupations such as Chemical Production Machine Operators, Motion Picture Projectionists, Sand Blasters and Sterilisation Technicians.
Tasks
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operates machines to produce chemical goods such as soaps, detergents, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and explosives
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operates film projection and related sound reproduction equipment
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operates sandblasting machines to clean and grind metal products and other hard surfaces
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cleans, sterilises and packages surgical instruments and other hospital equipment, soft goods and linen in a sterilisation service facility
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Sedentary
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Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to decline
- is likely to reach 8,600 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 12,200 |
2012 | 11,400 |
2013 | 13,400 |
2014 | 9,200 |
2015 | 8,800 |
2016 | 11,700 |
2017 | 11,600 |
2018 | 18,800 |
2019 | 18,500 |
2020 | 11,500 |
2021 | 10,500 |
2026 | 8,600 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 68% of people employed as Other Machine Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is similar to the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,227 per week, this is much lower than weekly earnings for all jobs ($1,593).
Median hourly earnings are $31, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Other Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,227 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Other Machine Operators work in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Other Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 30.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 28.5 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.4 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 61% of Other Machine Operators live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Other Machine Operators is 44 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 38% of the workforce. This is 10 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Other Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 9.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 18.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 20.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 25.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 11.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.2 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 44 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Other Machine Operator, although some workers have undertaken training.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Chemical, Hydrocarbons & Refining VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 10.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 8.7 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 29.7 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 21.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 20.5 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Other Machine Operators who are hardworking, can work well with others and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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55%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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55%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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48%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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45%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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45%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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45%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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41%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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41%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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37%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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37%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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36%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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72%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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68%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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64%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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63%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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58%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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56%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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56%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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55%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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50%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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50%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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45%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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44%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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43%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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42%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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41%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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41%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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35%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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28%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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27%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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20%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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55%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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52%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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50%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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50%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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50%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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50%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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48%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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45%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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45%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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45%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
72%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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71%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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68%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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67%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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63%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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63%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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62%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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62%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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56%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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56%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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55%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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53%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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52%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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48%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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47%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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47%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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46%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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45%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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44%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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40%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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86%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
62%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
52%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
48%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
33%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
100%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
94%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
91%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
89%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
88%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
88%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
87%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
86%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
85%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
84%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
83%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
83%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
82%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
81%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
80%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
80%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
79%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
77%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-9011.00 - Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.