Production
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.
Median pay
$51,610
Growth to 2035
−6%
declining
Openings a year
5,200
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders: 81% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Blender · Brewer · Cellar Worker · Digester Cook · Machine Tender · Paper Machine Tender · Pasteurizer · Plant Operator
Outlook and AI
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders held 61,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 57,900 by 2035 (−6%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
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