ANZSCO 2331

Chemical and Materials Engineers

Overview

EMPLOYED

7,000

PART-TIME SHARE

0%

FEMALE SHARE

12%

MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS

N/A

MEDIAN AGE

33

ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

400

About this data

Summary

Chemical and Materials Engineers design and prepare specifications for chemical process systems and the construction and operation of commercial-scale chemical plants, supervise industrial processing and fabrication of products undergoing physical and chemical change, and investigate the properties of metals, ceramics, polymers and other materials and assess and develop their engineering and commercial applications.

Tasks

  • Preparing designs for chemical process systems and planning control systems for processes such as those used to remove and separate components, effect chemical changes, test and evaluate fuels, transfer heat, and control the storing and handling of solids,liquids and gases
  • Monitoring the operation and maintenance of equipment to achieve maximum efficiency under safe operating conditions
  • Ensuring correct materials and equipment are used and that they conform to specifications
  • Diagnosing malfunctions in chemical plants and instituting remedial action
  • Studying product utilisation and pollution control problems
  • Reviewing plans for new products and submitting material selection recommendations in accordance with design specifications and factors such as strength, weight and cost
  • Planning and implementing laboratory operations to develop new materials and fabrication procedures for new materials to fulfil production cost and performance standards
  • Conferring with producers of materials, such as metals, ceramics, polymers, cements and elastomers, during the investigation and evaluation of materials suitable for specific product applications
  • Reviewing product failure data and implementing laboratory tests to establish or reject possible causes, and advising on ways to overcome any problems

ANZSCO Classification

Details

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    Earnings and Hours

    Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
    Source: Share of workers who work full-time hours: ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average, customised report.
    Average full-time hours worked per week: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Median full-time earnings per week and Median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2023, customised report.
    Note: median earnings data have not been produced for some occupations where there is a high standard error, and are published with "N/A" values.
    Earnings and Hours Chemical and Materials Engineers All Occupations
    Share of workers who work full-time hours 100% 70%
    Average full-time hours worked per week 42 hours 44 hours
    Median full-time earnings per week N/A $1,697
    Median hourly earnings N/A $43

    Industries

    Chemical and Materials Engineers work in industries like:

    Source: Ranked using ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average data, custom report.
    Note: industries that comprise less than 5% of an occupation have been suppressed.

    States and territories

    New South Wales

    22.4%

    Victoria

    12.4%

    Queensland

    19.7%

    South Australia

    7.1%

    Tasmania

    1.6%

    Northern Territory

    1.6%

    Australian Capital Territory

    1.6%

    Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, Detailed, August 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia trend data.

    Age and gender

    Age and Gender Profile
    Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average, customised report.
    Age and Gender Chemical and Materials Engineers All Occupations
    Median age 33 years 39 years
    Female share of employment 12% 48%
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Age Profile (% Share) All Occupations Chemical and Materials Engineers
    15–19 5.2 0.1
    20–24 9.1 7.2
    25–34 22.7 32.7
    35–44 22.3 24.8
    45–54 20.4 18.6
    55–59 8.8 7.6
    60–64 6.5 4.3
    65 and Over 4.9 5.0

    Education

    Registration may be required in some states and territories. In addition, Engineers Australia has a non-compulsory National Engineering Register.

    Visit

    • Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
    • ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Highest Level of Educational Attainment (% Share) All Occupations Chemical and Materials Engineers
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 12.2 32.2
    Bachelor degree 23.2 59.2
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma 11.1 2.5
    Certificate III/IV 19.5 2.0
    Year 12 15.9 2.5
    Year 11 4.0 0.1
    Year 10 and below 9.7 0.3
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      Occupation profiles data

      This file contains data displayed on the Occupation Profile pages.

      Use of data in this file must include the relevant attribution text provided.

      Occupation profiles data - November 2024.xlsx

      occupation_profiles_data_-_november_2024.xlsx946664

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      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is the skill-based classification system used to categorise occupations in the Australian and New Zealand labour markets. ANZSCO provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of occupation data. Visit the ABS website to learn how ANZSCO works. Jobs and Skills Australia displays data for occupations that are defined by ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.3.