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

	Median Wage (USD, 2025)	Projected Job Openings (2025-2035)	Projected Growth (2025-2035)
National Statistics	$51610	5400	-4.4%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$51610

Median Wage (USD, 2025)

5400

Projected Job Openings (2025-2035)

-4.4%

Projected Growth (2025-2035)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
Clean work areas.
Clean production equipment.
Inspect production equipment.
Load materials into production equipment.
Connect supply lines to production equipment or tools.
Exchange information with colleagues.
Clear equipment jams.
Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
Position containers to receive materials or workpieces.
Assess compliance with environmental laws.
Maintain safety.
Operate pumping systems or equipment.
Operate mixing equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
Inspect machines or equipment for hazards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, or leaks.
Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
Test samples to determine viscosity, acidity, specific gravity, or degree of concentration, using test equipment such as viscometers, pH meters, or hydrometers.
Maintain logs of instrument readings, test results, or shift production for entry in computer databases.
Communicate processing instructions to other workers.
Clean or sterilize tanks, screens, inflow pipes, production areas, or equipment, using hoses, brushes, scrapers, or chemical solutions.
Examine samples to verify qualities such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, dryness, or texture.
Measure or weigh materials to be refined, mixed, transferred, stored, or otherwise processed.
Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
Assemble fittings, valves, bowls, plates, disks, impeller shafts, or other parts to prepare equipment for operation.
Turn valves to pump sterilizing solutions or rinse water through pipes or equipment or to spray vats with atomizers.
Turn valves or move controls to admit, drain, separate, filter, clarify, mix, or transfer materials.
Remove clogs, defects, or impurities from machines, tanks, conveyors, screens, or other processing equipment.
Start agitators, shakers, conveyors, pumps, or centrifuge machines.
Install, maintain, or repair hoses, pumps, filters, or screens to maintain processing equipment, using hand tools.
Connect pipes between vats and processing equipment.
Remove full containers from discharge outlets and replace them with empty containers.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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