Production
Biofuels Processing Technicians
Also called: Biofuels Processing Technician, Board Operator, Chemical Operator, Ethanol Operator
US median pay
$62,470
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2.3%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
1,200
14,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Calculate, measure, load, mix, and process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels and monitor production process. Perform, and keep records of, plant maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections.
What they do day to day
- Monitor batch, continuous flow, or hybrid biofuels production processes.
- Operate valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust biofuels production.
- Monitor and record biofuels processing data.
- Collect biofuels samples and perform routine laboratory tests or analyses to assess biofuels quality.
- Operate equipment, such as a centrifuge, to extract biofuels products and secondary by-products or reusable fractions.
- Process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels.
- Operate chemical processing equipment for the production of biofuels.
- Monitor and record flow meter performance.
- Inspect biofuels plant or processing equipment regularly, recording or reporting damage and mechanical problems.
- Measure and monitor raw biofuels feedstock.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.9/5
- Operation and Control3.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.4/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing4.0/5
- Mechanical3.5/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- Chemistry3.2/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma71%
- Post-secondary certificate18%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.