In the United States, more and more people are interested in "green", which may affect the chemical manufacturing industry. For example, the United States is working hard to reduce emissions. As manufacturers impose restrictions on their emissions, the production costs of chemical products will rise, possibly reducing demand. In addition, many places are considering restricting the use of plastic shopping bags produced by the chemical industry.
Factors affecting employment in the chemical manufacturing industry will affect different sectors of the industry to varying degrees. Only one sector-the paints, coatings and adhesive products sector-is expected to grow. The remaining part is expected to be unemployed.
Employment prospects. Individuals seeking jobs in the chemical manufacturing industry are expected to face fierce competition, especially those seeking to enter the industry for the first time. For production jobs, opportunities are most suitable for people with experience and continuing education. For professional and management positions, applicants with experience and high education should have the best prospects. In addition, some job opportunities will also appear because of the need to replace workers who have moved to other occupations or retire or leave the labor force for other reasons.
Industry benefits. The income of the chemical industry is above average. In 2008, the average weekly wage of all production workers in the chemical manufacturing industry was US$809, while the weekly wage of all manufacturing workers was US$724. Part of the reason for the increase in wages is the chemical industry’s practice of assigning more overtime and weekend work, which requires higher hourly wages.
The wages of workers in the chemical industry vary by occupation, specific industry, and the size of the production plant. Table 3 shows the median hourly wages of the largest occupations in the chemical manufacturing industry.
Related occupations in the chemical manufacturing industry
Chemists and materials scientists
Chemists and materials scientists study matter at the atomic and molecular level and analyze the way these matter interact.
Chemical engineer
Chemical engineers use the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics to solve problems involving the production and use of chemicals, fuels, drugs, food, and many other products.
Chemical technicians use special instruments and techniques to help chemists and chemical engineers research, develop, produce, and test chemical products and processes.
Industrial Production Manager
The industrial production manager supervises the daily operation of production and related factories. They coordinate, plan, and direct activities used to produce various commodities, such as automobiles, computer equipment, or paper products.
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers
Quality control inspectors check products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.
Manual workers and material movers
Manual workers and material movers move goods, inventory, or other materials manually. Some of these workers may feed or carry materials to machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household items, and pack materials for handling.
Heavy and Towing-Trailer Truck Driver
Drivers of heavy and towed trailer trucks transport goods from one place to another. Most tractor-trailer drivers are long-distance drivers. The total weight (GVW) of the truck they drive exceeds 26,000 pounds, which is the total weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo.
Material handling machine operator
Material handler operators use machinery to move various objects. Some operators move construction materials around construction sites or dig soil from mines. Others move goods in warehouses or on container ships.
