Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber, to remove impurities.
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
SOC: 51-9192 O*NET: 51-9192.00
Median Salary
$41,460
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber, to remove impurities.
What does a Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,770
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,140
25th percentile
Median
$41,460
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,280
75th percentile
Top Earners
$56,590
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,770
25th
$37,140
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$41,460
Mean: $43,380
75th
$48,280
90th
$56,590
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $23,820 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,140 and $48,280
- •Salary spread is 26.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 13,890 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:14,600
Top Industries
Manufacturing79%
Food Manufacturing41.8%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing12.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.6%
Annual Openings:1,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)14,600
Current
2034 (Projected)15,200
+3.6%
+500
Employment Change
+3.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 41 locations
California
2,530 jobs$43,7701.55x
Ohio
1,150 jobs$39,9802.31x
Texas
1,050 jobs$38,3300.84x
Michigan
920 jobs$43,0402.32x
Georgia
690 jobs$41,3201.58x
Oklahoma
610 jobs$38,3603.99x
Indiana
500 jobs$43,2901.75x
Pennsylvania
480 jobs$45,3000.89x
New Jersey
470 jobs$42,1801.24x
New York
430 jobs$50,4300.50x
Missouri
400 jobs$39,2401.52x
South Carolina
360 jobs$39,9801.74x
Iowa
330 jobs$42,0602.36x
Washington
320 jobs$39,7901.00x
Florida
310 jobs$35,6300.35x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors100%
2 shared skills
Rock Splitters, Quarry67%
2 shared skills
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers50%
2 shared skills
Recycling and Reclamation Workers50%
2 shared skills
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers50%
1 shared skills
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials50%
1 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
11
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Planning & Development (1)General Responsibilities (6)
1
Operate or tend machines to wash and remove impurities from items such as barrels or kegs, glass products, tin plate surfaces, dried fruit, pulp, animal stock, coal, manufactured articles, plastic, or rubber.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Measure, weigh, or mix cleaning solutions, using measuring tanks, calibrated rods or suction tubes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Draw samples for laboratory analysis, or test solutions for conformance to specifications, such as acidity or specific gravity.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Examine and inspect machines to detect malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Adjust, clean, and lubricate mechanical parts of machines, using hand tools and grease guns.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •64% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.23
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.98
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.98
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.95
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.86
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.81
Complete Work Styles Profile
Persistence
4.2
Initiative
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Attention to Detail
3.9
Independence
3.8
Dependability
3.8
Analytical Thinking
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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