How to become a central control and process operator
Official title: Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
Also called: Gas controller, Gas dispatcher, Chemical roaster, Fuel gas treater, Petroleum blender, Petroleum refiner, Petroleum treater, Refinery operator, Gas field operator, Gas plant operator, Tank farm operator, Absorption operator
Central control and process operators in petroleum, gas and chemical processing monitor and operate petroleum, petrochemical and chemical plants and monitor, adjust and maintain processing units and equipment in these plants. They are employed by petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical companies and industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
Main tasks
- Operate electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units
- Control process start-up, shut-down and troubleshooting
- Monitor outside process equipment
- Adjust equipment, valves, pumps and controls and process equipment
- Authorize or co-sign maintenance work orders
- Shut down, isolate and prepare process units or production equipment for maintenance
- Sample products, perform tests, record data, carry out statistical process control on process operations, and write production logs
- Develop operating procedures for normal operation, start-up or shut-down of unit
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is required. Mathematics, chemistry and physics subjects are often specified. A college diploma in process operation, sciences or a related subject may be required for some positions. Petroleum and chemical process operators and process technicians require completion of several years of formal company training. Experience as a petroleum or chemical process operator in all the operating units controlled by the central control room is required for chief operators. Company certification as a petroleum process operator or technician may be required. A provincial power engineer licence, compressor operator or refrigeration certificate may be required when certain kinds of equipment are included in the process. Certification in the transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), first aid, firefighting, or workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) may be required.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 40% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Energy systems technologies/technicians; Industrial production technologies/technicians; Mining and petroleum technologies/technicians.
- Licence or registration: A provincial power engineer licence, compressor operator or refrigeration certificate may be required when certain kinds of equipment are included in the process.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $97,500 a year The middle half earn $78,000 to $117,975.
- About 16,200 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 16,300 are projected by 2033. (+0.6%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
- Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
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Questions people ask
How do I become a central control and process operator?
Completion of secondary school is required. Mathematics, chemistry and physics subjects are often specified. A college diploma in process operation, sciences or a related subject may be required for some positions. Petroleum and chemical process operators and process technicians require completion of several years of formal company training. Experience as a petroleum or chemical process operator in all the operating units controlled by the central control room is required for chief operators. Company certification as a petroleum process operator or technician may be required. A provincial power engineer licence, compressor operator or refrigeration certificate may be required when certain kinds of equipment are included in the process. Certification in the transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), first aid, firefighting, or workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) may be required.
How much does a central control and process operator earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $97,500 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $78,000 to $117,975.
Is a central control and process operator a growing career in Canada?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2033: about 16,200 people now and 16,300 later (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a central control and process operator?
Usually not. Only 12% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03