How to become a separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders

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.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..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.

What separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders do

• Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
• 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.

Skills that matter most

• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Is separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 1% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Wyoming $108,900
• Nevada $62,960
• New Hampshire $60,340
• Wisconsin $60,100
• Virginia $59,480

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.