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Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: Career Overview
Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.
What Do Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Take On?
Typical responsibilities of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders cover:
- Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
- Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
- Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
- Turn valves or move controls to admit, drain, separate, filter, clarify, mix, or transfer materials.
- Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
- Examine samples to verify qualities such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, dryness, or texture.
- Start agitators, shakers, conveyors, pumps, or centrifuge machines.
- Inspect machines or equipment for hazards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, or leaks.
Skills and Knowledge
Top separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Other Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Absorber Operator
- Absorption Operator
- Acetone Recovery Worker
- Acetylene Plant Operator
- Acid Extractor
- Acid Purifier
- Almond Blancher Operator
- Almond Huller
Employment and Demand
There are about 138,959 separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to decline by -4.5% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $33,975 |
| Hourly median | $16.33 |
| 10th percentile | $20,000 |
| 25th percentile | $26,441 |
| 75th percentile | $41,509 |
| 90th percentile | $49,043 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $105,470 |
| Nevada | $62,400 |
| Wisconsin | $61,790 |
| Alaska | $60,460 |
| California | $59,090 |
| Washington | $58,530 |
| North Dakota | $56,600 |
| New Hampshire | $56,510 |
| Kentucky | $55,400 |
| Minnesota | $53,150 |
| Illinois | $52,850 |
| Arizona | $52,220 |
| New York | $51,880 |
| Hawaii | $51,370 |
| Indiana | $50,960 |
| Idaho | $50,780 |
| Vermont | $50,750 |
| Connecticut | $50,380 |
| Iowa | $50,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,930 |
| Maryland | $49,920 |
| New Jersey | $49,880 |
| Virginia | $49,650 |
| Maine | $49,590 |
| Montana | $49,090 |
| South Dakota | $48,750 |
| District of Columbia | $48,340 |
| Oregon | $48,140 |
| Louisiana | $48,050 |
| South Carolina | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $47,430 |
| Georgia | $47,280 |
| Michigan | $46,900 |
| Colorado | $46,800 |
| Ohio | $46,760 |
| Massachusetts | $46,400 |
| North Carolina | $46,090 |
| Tennessee | $45,910 |
| Utah | $45,620 |
| Delaware | $45,360 |
| Nebraska | $44,820 |
| Texas | $44,260 |
| Missouri | $44,210 |
| Virgin Islands | $43,890 |
| Kansas | $43,840 |
| Florida | $43,720 |
| Mississippi | $42,670 |
| Arkansas | $41,830 |
| Alabama | $41,290 |
| New Mexico | $40,010 |
| Oklahoma | $37,540 |
| West Virginia | $31,060 |
| Puerto Rico | $27,560 |
Where Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Earn the Most
Pay for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders shift depending on where you work. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $58,059 | 26.5% | 1.65 |
| Rocky Mountains | $53,184 | 7.1% | 2.04 |
| Great Lakes | $51,713 | 14.1% | 1.18 |
| Middle Atlantic | $50,754 | 12.1% | 0.87 |
| New England | $50,399 | 4.4% | 1.41 |
| Plains States | $48,917 | 8.9% | 1.37 |
| Southeast | $46,761 | 20.6% | 1.15 |
| Southwest | $44,954 | 6.0% | 0.53 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | WI | $74,330 | 690 |
| Springfield, IL | IL | $66,850 | 50 |
| Napa, CA | CA | $66,440 | 1,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $63,150 | 680 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | CT | $62,810 | 40 |
| Walla Walla, WA | WA | $62,470 | 140 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | CA | $62,400 | 870 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | WA | $61,840 | 130 |
Which Industries Hire Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Most separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 43,390 | $49,910 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 4,980 | $47,390 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,330 | $45,880 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1,190 | $41,410 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 970 | $38,640 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 670 | $71,810 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 570 | $62,020 |
| Retail Trade | 530 | $46,110 |
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Freedom to Make Decisions
How to Become Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Typical separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
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References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-9012.00 (Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders).
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