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.
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
SOC: 51-9012 O*NET: 51-9012.00
Median Salary
$49,500
per year
Job Growth
📉 -4.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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 does a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,810
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,830
25th percentile
Median
$49,500
50th percentile
Experienced
$61,350
75th percentile
Top Earners
$75,860
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,810
25th
$41,830
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,500
Mean: $53,830
75th
$61,350
90th
$75,860
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $40,050 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,830 and $61,350
- •Salary spread is 39.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 54,200 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:54,400
Top Industries
Manufacturing80.1%
Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing45.4%
Beverage Manufacturing45.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-4.3%
Annual Openings:5,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)54,400
Current
2034 (Projected)52,000
-4.3%
-2,300
Employment Change
-4.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
11,030 jobs$59,0901.74x
New York
3,080 jobs$51,8800.92x
Tennessee
2,350 jobs$45,9102.04x
Pennsylvania
2,170 jobs$49,9301.03x
Texas
2,110 jobs$44,2600.43x
Colorado
1,990 jobs$46,8001.96x
Michigan
1,870 jobs$46,9001.21x
Indiana
1,770 jobs$50,9601.58x
North Carolina
1,590 jobs$46,0900.92x
Wisconsin
1,580 jobs$61,7901.54x
Minnesota
1,510 jobs$53,1501.47x
Florida
1,490 jobs$43,7200.43x
Washington
1,470 jobs$58,5301.18x
Ohio
1,360 jobs$46,7600.70x
Oregon
1,230 jobs$48,1401.78x
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
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
92%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Quality Control Analysis
78%
#5
Monitoring
70%
#6
Active Listening
62%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
56%
#8
Reading Comprehension
48%
#9
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.9
78%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
Active Listening
intermediate3.1
62%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.8
56%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.4
48%
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:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians89%
5 shared skills
Crane and Tower Operators80%
5 shared skills
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80%
5 shared skills
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer80%
5 shared skills
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers73%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Quality Control Analysis
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 Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, 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 Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
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
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
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 mostly indoor 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
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Test samples to determine viscosity, acidity, specific gravity, or degree of concentration, using test equipment such as viscometers, pH meters, or hydrometers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Measure or weigh materials to be refined, mixed, transferred, stored, or otherwise processed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Clean or sterilize tanks, screens, inflow pipes, production areas, or equipment, using hoses, brushes, scrapers, or chemical solutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Inspect machines or equipment for hazards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, or leaks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Connect pipes between vats and processing equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Communicate processing instructions to other workers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% 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 Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, 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?
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.10
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.00
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.87
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.76
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.73
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.66
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
Attention to Detail
3.9
Independence
3.8
Cooperation
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Stress Tolerance
3.5
💡 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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