---

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Virginia

Want to work as a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Virginia? Below are the key facts. 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. Excludes “Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders” (51-9011).

What do Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make in Virginia?

For separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders working in Virginia, wages run about $49,650 per year (or roughly $23.87/hour).Earnings range from $34,340 at the 10th percentile to $76,930 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$34,340	$16.51
25th percentile	$39,610	$19.04
Median (50th)	$49,650	$23.87
75th percentile	$76,930	$36.99
90th percentile	$76,930	$36.99

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Virginia compared to the national average — is 0.79, meaning fewer separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders earn a median of $33,975 per year ($16.33/hour), higher than the Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 138,959 separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in the U.S.. In Virginia alone, approximately 1,130 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 650 separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders.

Top Virginia Metros for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

These are the Virginia metros with the most separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in Virginia.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	110	$41,580
Charlottesville, VA	110	$48,360
Richmond, VA	110	$46,600
Roanoke, VA	40	$44,570

Top States for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Employment

The table below shows the states where the most separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders work.

State	Number Employed
California	11,030
New York	3,080
Tennessee	2,350
Pennsylvania	2,170
Texas	2,110
Colorado	1,990
Michigan	1,870
Indiana	1,770
North Carolina	1,590
Wisconsin	1,580
Minnesota	1,510
Florida	1,490
Washington	1,470
Ohio	1,360
Oregon	1,230
Kentucky	1,150
Virginia	1,130
Missouri	1,060
Illinois	1,010
Georgia	910

Highest-Paying States for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Where separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders earn the most: separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders.

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

Skills

Key separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• 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.
• Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
• Communicate processing instructions to other workers.
• Turn valves to pump sterilizing solutions or rinse water through pipes or equipment or to spray vats with atomizers.
• Maintain logs of instrument readings, test results, or shift production for entry in computer databases.

Work Activities

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Getting Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Processing Information
• Working with Computers

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software

Related Careers

Related occupations to separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders include:

• Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
• Food Batchmakers
• Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
• Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
• Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders

Also Known As

Absorber Operator, Absorption Operator, Acetone Recovery Worker, Acetylene Plant Operator, Acid Extractor, Acid Purifier, Almond Blancher Operator, Almond Huller, Amalgamator, Ammonium Nitrate Crystallizer, Automatic Centrifugal Station Operator, Automatic Dry Starch Operator, Barley Steeper, Basin Operator, Batch Operator.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9012.00