Energy & Natural Resources · Utilities

Biofuels Processing Technicians

Biofuels processing technicians operate and maintain equipment that converts raw materials into renewable fuel. The work is technical and in-demand. You can start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training.

Median pay
$62,470
per year
Job outlook
+2%
little or no change
Typical education
High school
no degree required
Preparation
Some
Job Zone 2

Ready to map your path to this career?

Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.

Build my roadmap

What a biofuel processing technician does

You monitor production processes, equipment, and materials to ensure everything runs safely and efficiently. You communicate with supervisors and teammates about what you observe, document your findings, and solve problems when something goes wrong. You identify issues with machinery or processes, make decisions about adjustments, and gather information to keep operations on track. The role combines hands-on equipment management with careful record-keeping and safety awareness. You need to understand how the equipment works mechanically and stay alert to potential hazards.

Core work activities

Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Salary and job outlook

Biofuels Processing Technicians earn a median of $62,470 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.

Lowest 10%$40,700
Median$62,470
Highest 10%$94,560

The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 1,600 openings a year.

Skills and knowledge you need

Top skills

  • Reading comprehension
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Active listening
  • Critical thinking
  • Writing

Knowledge areas

  • Production and processing
  • Mechanical
  • English language
  • Public safety and security
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and electronics

How to become a biofuel processing technician

Start with a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers provide on-the-job training to teach you how their specific equipment and processes work. You will learn production and processing techniques, mechanical systems, safety protocols, and how to use computers for monitoring and documentation. Some employers or community programs may offer formal training programs in biofuels processing or related technical fields. Look for entry-level positions at biofuels facilities, refineries, or energy production plants in your area.

Most paths into this work start with a high school diploma and employer training. If you are exploring whether additional certifications or formal programs make sense for your goals, Pathly can map the biofuel processing technician path that fits you and work through your options with a counselor.

Is this a good fit for you?

You like working with your hands and solving practical problems. You are detail-oriented, follow procedures carefully, and stay calm under pressure. You communicate clearly and work well as part of a team.

Explore a career as a biofuel processing technician with Pathly

Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.

1
Discover who you are

Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.

2
Explore what fits

Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.

3
Build your roadmap

Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.

Build my roadmap for free

Related careers

Last updated July 1, 2026.

Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).