Top Refinery Operator Training Programs in New Jersey
Refinery operator training programs in New Jersey provide the skills needed for jobs in the energy sector. The state remains a key hub for petrochemical processing, with major refineries in cities like Linden, Paulsboro, and Bayonne.
Programs at Middlesex County College and Union County College equip students with hands-on experience and industry certifications, preparing them for well-paying careers in this essential field.
New Jersey is home to key refineries that drive its energy industry:
- Bayway Refinery (Linden/Elizabeth) – Owned by Phillips 66, this refinery processes about 238,000 barrels per day and produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, propane, and heating oil.
- Paulsboro Refinery (Paulsboro) – Operated by PBF Energy, it refines various crude oils and produces gasoline, heating oil, and aviation jet fuel.
These refineries provide steady employment opportunities for skilled professionals trained in refinery operations.
Required Skills and Qualifications
For Phillips 66 Bayway (Linden) and PBF Paulsboro, entry‑level operator postings call for HS/GED, valid driver’s license, age 18+, ability to work 12‑hour rotations, respirator/height/confined‑space readiness, pre‑hire testing and screening, and the ability to obtain/hold a TWIC due to maritime site security.
Training Programs Overview
Middlesex County College and Union County College offer refinery operator training. These programs combine classroom learning with hands-on training to prepare students for refinery operations.
Certification and Job Opportunities
Graduates earn certifications that meet industry standards, improving job prospects. Refinery operators in New Jersey can earn between $45 and $55 per hour, depending on experience and role.
Program Details
Middlesex College – Process Technology (A.A.S.)
- Address: 2600 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08837, United States
- Tel: +1 732-548-6000
- Tuition Fee:
- In-county: $126/credit
- Out-of-county: $236/credit
In Edison, this associate degree builds the skills operators use across process industries – oil & gas and petrochemical included – with strong coverage of safety, instrumentation, procedures, troubleshooting, and hands‑on simulation.
Program highlights
- Degree: Associate in Applied Science (Process Technology).
- Industry fit: Training aimed at process‑technician/operator roles in sectors such as oil & gas, chemical/petrochemical, power generation, paper, pharma, and food.
- Skills focus: Safety practices; equipment and tools; operating procedures and technical reporting; basic instrumentation; troubleshooting; data management/computer use.
- Hands‑on learning: A capstone course runs a computer‑based process‑control simulator and VR modules that emulate chemical‑plant/refinery operations.
- Math readiness: Algebra I competency required before major courses.
Salem Community College – Nuclear Energy Technology (A.A.S.)
- Address: 460 Hollywood Ave, Carneys Point, NJ 08069, United States
- Tel: +1 856-299-2100
- Tuition Fee:
- County resident: $219/credit
- Out-of-county: $255/credit
- Out-of-state: $354/credit
Located in Carneys Point, this on‑campus program develops operator‑ready competencies for power‑generation environments, emphasizing systems, instrumentation, and safety – skills that translate to control‑room and field operations across complex plants.
Program highlights
- Degree: Associate in Applied Science (Nuclear Energy Technology).
- Operator‑oriented coursework: Instrumentation & Control I/II; Reactor Plant Protection & Safety; Nuclear Plant Systems & Components (PWR and BWR); Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow; Applied Physics & Chemistry.
- Career paths: Prepares for roles such as power plant operator, nuclear equipment/monitoring technician, and reactor operator – foundational operations skills applicable to other large process facilities.
Rowan College South Jersey
This self‑paced online program builds core refinery‑operator skills – safety, instrumentation, process control, and troubleshooting – so beginners can prepare for entry‑level roles. You can start anytime and study 100% online.
Tuition Fee: $2,795.00
Program highlights
- Format: 100% online, self‑paced; start anytime.
- Length & access: 400 hours, up to 12 months to finish.
- Credential: Certificate of Completion (noncredit).
- Key topics: safety (HAZCOM/LOTO), P&IDs, basic instrumentation & control, pumps/heat exchangers, distillation & core refining processes.
- Who it’s for / prereqs: Beginners; HS diploma/equivalent and basic computer skills recommended.
Pathways Into Refinery Operations
You don’t have to pick a course named refinery operations to start in this field. By choosing a related technical program, you can build the same practical skills refineries demand – systems control, instrumentation, safety, and operations.
In New Jersey, you can begin with Refinery Operations training. You can also pursue Process Operations Technology or Power Plant Operator paths. Each of these gives you hands-on exposure to control systems, process flow, equipment supervision, and safety practices – preparing you for entry-level operator roles and future growth into control room, optimization, or supervisory roles.
Average Rent Near Refinery Operator Training Schools in New Jersey
Here’s an easy, student‑focused snapshot for Middlesex College (Edison, New Jersey). Middlesex is a commuter college and does not have dorms, so most students rent nearby.
Middlesex College (Edison, NJ)
- Off‑campus (1‑bedroom): ~$1,872/month (Edison city 1‑BR average, Sept 2025). Apartments.com
- On‑campus: Not available (the college does not maintain dormitories).
Additional Cost Considerations
If you’ll live off campus around Edison, plan for utilities, getting to/from campus or work, and everyday essentials. The figures below are monthly, simple, and pulled from local/state sources.
Utilities
Plan for these four line items unless your lease includes some of them.
- Electricity: about $113/month – New Jersey’s average residential bill (2023, EIA). EIA
- Natural gas (heat/cooking): about $106/month – PSE&G’s example bill for a typical residential customer using 100 therms/month. Actual usage varies by season/building. PSE&G
- Water & sewer (Edison): The township’s rate schedule shows a quarterly minimum by meter size (e.g., 5/8″–3/4″ meter $26.68/quarter with an allowance) plus $66.18 per 1,000 cu ft for water used, and $0.004539 per gallon for sewer. In small apartments, many renters see about $50/month when it’s tenant‑paid. Ecode360
- Home internet: about $55/month for entry plans (e.g., Xfinity 300–400 Mbps with a 5‑year price guarantee $55/mo; Verizon Fios 300 commonly $49.99–$59.99/mo in NJ). Xfinity+2Xfinity+2
Transport and commute costs
- County shuttles (RIDE, formerly MCAT): Suggested fare $1 per ride on fixed‑route community shuttles that connect to bus/rail. Middlesex County NJ+1
- NJ TRANSIT bus: Monthly bus pass from $67 (1‑zone); routes 813 and 814 serve the Middlesex College campus directly. content.njtransit.com+2NJ TRANSIT+2
- If you drive: New Jersey average gas ~ $3.14/gal (AAA). Parking on the Edison main campus: no fee (follow lot rules). AAA Fuel Prices+1
Food and supplies
- Groceries (one adult): ~$366/month (MIT “Food,” Middlesex County, updated Feb 10, 2025). Living Wage Calculator
- Personal/household basics (“Other” in MIT): ~$381/month (toiletries, cleaning supplies, phone, small items). In the budget below, this total is split across Personal supplies, Dining out & entertainment, and Miscellaneous so it’s easy to plan.
Sample Monthly Budget
A simple example for a Middlesex College student renting a 1‑bedroom in Edison and using an NJ TRANSIT 1‑zone monthly bus pass (adjust if you mainly use the $1 county shuttle or drive). Sources appear on each line; no calculations shown.
| Expense category | Estimated monthly cost |
| Off campus rent | $1,872 |
| Utilities cost (heat, electric, water, internet) | $329 |
| Groceries | $366 |
| Transport costs | $67 |
| Personal supplies and toiletries | $120 |
| Dining out and entertainment | $160 |
| Miscellaneous | $101 |
| Total estimated monthly cost | $3,015 |
Hands-on Training
Both programs emphasize real-world training with equipment such as heat exchangers and distillation simulators, which prepares students for operational challenges in refineries.
Refinery Operations Internship Programs in New Jersey
Operator‑adjacent refining internships immerse students in refinery operations, working alongside operations/engineering teams with structured mentoring.
Phillips 66, offers a Bayway‑based internship within Refining operations, with orientation/training events, an assigned mentor, and a required end‑of‑summer presentation.
Learning Formats
- Online Courses: Allow flexible learning schedules.
- In-Person Classes: Provide direct interaction with instructors.
- Students can choose the format that fits their needs.
Certification Requirements
To work as a refinery operator, candidates must:
- Complete an approved training program.
- Pass certification exams.
- Renew certification annually before September 30th.
- Gain operational experience for advanced licenses.
Financial Assistance
- Students can apply for federal aid through FAFSA.
- Work-study programs offer financial support.
- Scholarships are available based on financial need and academic performance.
Job Outlook
New Jersey’s refinery operator employment is projected to remain steady over the next decade. Although growth is not expected, annual job openings will continue to provide some opportunities for new workers.
- Employment (2022): 200 employees
- Projected employment (2032): 200 employees
- Projected growth (2022–2032): 0%
- Projected annual job openings (2022–2032): 20
Refinery Operator Salaries in New Jersey
| Area | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean annual wage | Hourly wage 10th percentile | Hourly wage 25th percentile | Hourly wage 75th percentile | Hourly wage 90th percentile |
| New Jersey | $48.72 | $101,340 | $37.25 | $47.26 | $48.72 | $55.45 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $44.20 | $91,930 | $36.79 | $43.76 | $44.20 | $44.20 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $48.72 | $101,340 | $37.25 | $47.27 | $48.72 | $51.67 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49.20 | $102,340 | $40.53 | $46.47 | $51.17 | $51.67 |
Refinery Operator Job Listings in New Jersey
New Jersey openings center on Bayway/Linden–Elizabeth, Paulsboro/Gloucester County, Perth Amboy/Woodbridge, and the Port Newark corridor, spanning refineries, fuel terminals, chem/pharma plants, and utilities. Not every listing is a refinery-operator role – or even directly refinery-track – but many support process operations, maintenance, and E&I/instrumentation keeping 24/7 facilities online. Expect steady demand, day and rotating shifts, and some port-adjacent jobs requiring a TWIC.
| Job Title | Company | Location | Date Posted |
| Pilot plant operator | System One | Camden, NJ | 09/09/2025 |
Source: CareerOneStop.org
Graduate Success Stories
Former students praise these programs for:
- Knowledgeable instructors.
- Flexible schedules.
- Industry connections leading to job placements.
Refinery operator training programs in New Jersey provide essential skills, certification, and career opportunities. With structured learning and hands-on training, graduates are well-prepared for stable, high-paying jobs in the energy sector.