Top Refinery Operator Training Programs in Ohio

Refinery operator training programs in Ohio prepare students for oil and gas industry jobs. These programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience to develop essential skills. Graduates can pursue entry-level roles in refining operations, benefiting from job stability and career growth opportunities.

Refineries in Ohio

Ohio hosts several significant key petroleum refineries in the state’s energy sector. These include:

Marathon Petroleum Corporation – Canton Refinery (Canton, OH): Processes 100,000 barrels daily, producing gasoline, distillates, asphalt, roofing flux, propane slurry, and sulfur.
Cenovus Energy – Lima Refinery (Lima, OH): Has a refining capacity of 155,000 barrels per day and has undergone significant investment to enhance operations.
Cenovus Energy – Toledo Refinery (Oregon, OH): Processes up to 160,000 daily barrels, focusing on crude from oil sands and shales.
PBF Energy – Toledo Refinery (Toledo, OH): With a throughput of 180,000 barrels per day, it includes an FCC unit, hydrocracker, alkylation unit, and UDEX unit.

These refineries contribute significantly to Ohio’s economy, providing employment opportunities and supporting the state’s energy infrastructure.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Hiring managers at refineries in Lima and Toledo typically ask for a HS diploma/GED, valid driver’s license, ability to pass drug/background checks, and readiness for 12‑hour rotating shifts; prior process/chemical plant experience or a process technology (PTEC) certificate is preferred. Example postings also note assessment testing and comfort with field work at heights and in confined spaces.

Institutions Offering Training

Several Ohio institutions provide specialized refinery operator training with some providing training that ties in with a career in refinery operations. Some of these programs include:

Cincinnati State Technical & Community College – Chemical Operator Level 1

Address: 3520 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45223, United States
Tel: +1 513-569-1500
Tuition fee: $1,950

Hands‑on, industry‑driven training developed with eight regional chemical and process manufacturers. Classes run one day per week for 15 weeks at the Evendale location, combining classroom, laboratory, and field instruction to build entry‑level process‑technician skills.

Program highlights:

Schedule & format: one day per week for 15 weeks with classroom, lab, and field training.
Location: Cincinnati State Workforce Development Center, Evendale.
Scope: designed in partnership with eight regional chemical and process manufacturing firms.
Contact/credit: 75 contact hours, 4 credit hours.
Target roles listed: Chemical Operator Technician, Process Technician, Brewery Technician.

Belmont College – Process Technician (AAS)

Address: 68094 Hammond Rd, St Clairsville, OH 43950, United States
Tel: +1 740-695-9500
Tuition fee:
- Resident: $125.75/credit
- Non-resident: $230/credit

A program built with local industry to prepare process technicians/chemical operators for sectors that include oil and gas processing, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and energy production. Students complete 45 hours at Belmont and finish with 20 hours of online coursework taught by Washington State College of Ohio faculty.

Program highlights:

Industry‑aligned design with outcomes aimed at process‑operations roles.
Coverage includes inspecting and maintaining equipment, sampling, data recording, troubleshooting, product analysis, and maintaining regulatory/environmental standards.
Understanding of control‑room responsibilities and safe manufacturing practices, plus strong written and verbal communication.

Program Structure and Curriculum

Training programs typically last 10 to 12 weeks, with flexible schedules. Coursework covers:

Process system operations
Equipment handling
Safety procedures
Environmental compliance
Basic process instrumentation

These courses ensure students gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills for refinery operations.

Pathways Into Refinery Operations

You don’t need to take a class named refinery operations to start your journey. Technical training in related fields builds many of the same skills – system control, equipment logic, and safety protocols – that refineries depend on.

In Ohio, if there’s a Refinery Operations track, it’s one viable direction. You can also begin through paths like Process Operations Technology or Power Plant Operator Training. These programs help you learn to monitor process systems, maintain equipment, understand control logic, and work safely – putting you in a position to step into entry-level operator roles and grow from there.

Average Rent Near Refinery Operator Training Schools in Ohio

Here’s a simple snapshot for Cincinnati State Technical & Community College (CSTCC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati State is non‑residential (no dorms), so students typically rent off campus. Cincinnati State

Cincinnati State (Cincinnati, OH)
- Off‑campus (1‑bedroom): ~$1,116/month (city 1‑BR average; updated Sept 2025). Apartments.com
- On‑campus: Not offered (no residence halls).

Additional Cost Considerations

If you’ll live off campus near the Clifton campus, plan for utilities, getting to class/work, and everyday supplies. Numbers below are monthly anchors from local/state sources – lease terms and usage will vary.

Utilities

Electricity: ~$124.68/mo – Ohio’s average residential bill (EIA 2023). U.S. Energy Information Administration
Natural gas (heat/cooking): ~$65/mo – Ohio benchmark using a current utility estimate for a typical customer (Standard Choice Offer example). Columbia Gas of Ohio
Water (GCWW): Example 2025 schedule shows a typical water bill ≈ $39.15/mo for a household using ~8.33 CCF. Cincinnati Government
Sewer (MSDGC): Average ≈ $56/mo for a single‑family residential customer in 2025. MSD Cincinnati+1
Home internet: $50–$55/mo typical entry plans (e.g., altafiber Fioptics 600 Mbps $50/mo or Xfinity 300 Mbps with 5‑year price guarantee $55/mo).

Transport and commute costs

Metro (local bus): 30‑day pass $88 (fare‑capped with Tap&Save). Metro Cincinnati+1
Cincinnati State student discount: $1 per ride on Metro with the Cincinnati State Metro Discount (register via Self‑Service + Transit app). Cincinnati State+1
Streetcar (Connector): Free to ride (Downtown/OTR loop). Cincinnati Government
Parking at Cincinnati State (Clifton campus): $75 per semester (student parking pass). Cincinnati State
If you drive: Cincinnati metro regular gas ~ $3.05/gal right now (AAA).

Food and supplies

For one adult in Hamilton County, MIT’s Living Wage Calculator (updated Feb 10, 2025) is a handy guide:

Groceries (“Food”): ~ $4,188/year → plan ~ $349/month. Living Wage Calculator
Personal/household basics (“Other” necessities): ~ $4,112/year → ~ $343/month (toiletries, cleaning items, phone/broadband share, small essentials). We split this across Personal supplies, Dining out & entertainment, and Miscellaneous in the budget below.

Sample Monthly Budget

Example for a Cincinnati State student renting a 1‑bedroom in Cincinnati and using a Metro local 30‑day pass. Rounded, easy to scan; sources shown on each line (no calculation steps).

Expense category	Estimated monthly cost
Off campus rent	$1,116
Utilities cost (heat, electric, water, internet)	$340
Groceries	$349
Transport costs	$88
Personal supplies and toiletries	$120
Dining out and entertainment	$160
Miscellaneous	$63
Total estimated monthly cost	$2,236

Career Prospects and Job Market

The demand for refinery operators is rising due to workforce retirements and industry changes. Entry-level positions include:

Petroleum pump system operators
Refinery maintenance technicians
Equipment operators

Ohio is projected to see slight growth in refinery operator employment over the next decade. While the increase is modest, consistent annual openings will continue to provide opportunities for new and experienced workers alike.

Employment (2022): 970 employees
Projected employment (2032): 990 employees
Projected growth (2022–2032): 2%
Projected annual job openings (2022–2032): 90

Refinery Operator Salaries in Ohio

Area	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean annual wage	Hourly wage 10th percentile	Hourly wage 25th percentile	Hourly wage 75th percentile	Hourly wage 90th percentile
Ohio	$50.07	$104,140	$35.18	$44.87	$50.08	$50.84
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	$38.78	$80,660	$23.08	$28.02	$49.22	$49.23
Toledo, OH	$50.07	$104,140	$38.07	$50.07	$50.08	$50.08

Refinery Operator Job listings in Ohio

Ohio openings span Toledo/Monroe and Lima/Canton refinery corridors, plus Cleveland–Akron, Columbus, and Cincinnati manufacturing, power, and water/wastewater sites along the Ohio River. Not every posting is a refinery-operator role – or even directly refinery-track – but many support process operations, maintenance, and E&I/instrumentation that keep 24/7 facilities running. Expect steady hiring across rotating and day shifts, with some terminal and river-port roles requiring a TWIC.

Job Title	Company	Location	Date Posted
Fuel Distribution System Operator	AlutiiqLLC	Lakewood, OH	09/28/2025
Control Room Operator	The Toledo Museum of Art	Toledo, OH	09/20/2025
Refinery Operator	Bunge North America, Inc.	Bellevue, OH	07/12/2025

Source: CareerOneStop.org

Industry Trends and Renewable Energy Impact

Oil refineries are adapting to renewable energy technologies. Operators must update their skills to meet new industry standards. This shift is creating fresh job opportunities and requiring continuous education and training.

Support and Resources for Students

Students receive assistance from:

Academic advisors
Occupational safety councils
Certification programs

These resources help students complete their training and transition smoothly into the workforce.

Ohio offers strong training programs for refinery operators. Institutions like Columbus State Community College and Apollo Career Center equip students with the skills needed for a stable and rewarding career. With growing job demand and industry advancements, refinery operations remain a promising field for employment.