Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders earn a median $43,530 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders do
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.4% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,700
- Self-employed
- 6%
Employment of cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders is projected to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,044
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,699
- Medicare (1.45%)$631
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$37,156
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,790 | $16.25 | $29,330 |
| 25th percentile | $37,310 | $17.94 | $32,159 |
| Median (50th) | $43,530 | $20.93 | $37,156 |
| 75th percentile | $49,320 | $23.71 | $41,809 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,570 | $28.16 | $49,241 |
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | $64,610 | +57.3% | $50,915 | $40,340 – $78,380 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $54,290 | +5.6% | $44,194 | $42,820 – $65,360 | 310 |
| Oregon | $49,130 | +12.0% | $38,187 | $37,770 – $65,470 | 70 |
| North Dakota | $48,240 | +3.2% | $40,941 | $42,940 – $51,600 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,000 | +6.0% | $39,274 | $36,400 – $62,930 | 370 |
| New Hampshire | $47,510 | +14.2% | $40,354 | $36,740 – $60,370 | 120 |
| Iowa | $46,970 | +11.7% | $38,787 | $39,070 – $58,570 | 430 |
| New York | $46,290 | −8.2% | $37,471 | $34,410 – $62,160 | 710 |
| Nebraska | $45,690 | +19.4% | $37,693 | $36,120 – $59,210 | 400 |
| Washington | $45,600 | +14.6% | $38,820 | $39,700 – $56,500 | 180 |
| Ohio | $45,470 | +13.7% | $38,247 | $35,900 – $62,830 | 1,010 |
| Virginia | $45,330 | −18.9% | $36,810 | $33,830 – $73,870 | 140 |
| California | $45,150 | +3.2% | $37,076 | $37,970 – $58,490 | 2,450 |
| South Dakota | $44,770 | +7.6% | $38,153 | $33,830 – $46,820 | 60 |
| Michigan | $44,400 | +3.2% | $36,219 | $34,280 – $54,230 | 820 |
| Indiana | $43,820 | +1.2% | $36,126 | $35,680 – $55,320 | 830 |
| Illinois | $43,740 | — | $35,305 | $40,890 – $46,470 | 70 |
| New Jersey | $43,600 | +3.4% | $36,351 | $36,860 – $61,800 | 590 |
| Massachusetts | $43,210 | −4.1% | $34,959 | $37,190 – $56,480 | 380 |
| Minnesota | $42,600 | −10.0% | $34,949 | $32,950 – $54,820 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $41,110 | +3.6% | $35,212 | $32,350 – $48,610 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $40,950 | +6.8% | $33,786 | $34,330 – $55,880 | 450 |
| Missouri | $40,510 | +3.2% | $33,763 | $32,210 – $50,460 | 200 |
| Utah | $39,970 | −8.6% | $33,463 | $32,240 – $50,300 | 120 |
| South Carolina | $39,240 | −1.9% | $32,512 | $31,190 – $48,950 | 320 |
| Connecticut | $39,140 | −0.5% | $32,793 | $35,360 – $48,610 | 170 |
| Georgia | $38,430 | −7.0% | $31,687 | $29,700 – $47,130 | 600 |
| Kansas | $38,340 | −7.7% | $31,647 | $36,920 – $47,670 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $38,340 | +1.9% | $31,965 | $31,240 – $60,910 | 260 |
| Arizona | $37,900 | −1.7% | $31,894 | $36,400 – $53,690 | 370 |
| Arkansas | $37,490 | −7.3% | $31,054 | $30,580 – $54,870 | 90 |
| Texas | $37,040 | −3.4% | $31,942 | $30,180 – $57,500 | 1,380 |
| Florida | $36,830 | +3.4% | $31,773 | $31,610 – $46,020 | 170 |
| Nevada | $36,490 | +17.0% | $31,500 | $30,770 – $60,830 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $35,850 | −10.7% | $29,848 | $31,200 – $47,630 | 310 |
| New Mexico | $35,600 | — | $30,221 | $34,390 – $43,370 | 60 |
| Alabama | $35,090 | +0.5% | $28,885 | $26,620 – $104,180 | 140 |
| Mississippi | $34,280 | −0.4% | $29,085 | $32,420 – $49,200 | 90 |
| Idaho | $33,660 | +5.0% | $28,550 | $31,560 – $48,620 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etcher and Engraver | $43,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender | $41,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,170 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.8% |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender | $46,460 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.3% |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Helpers--Production Worker | $39,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | -8.2% |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,270 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.6% |
| Tire Builder | $57,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender | $43,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.1% |
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | $42,660 | No formal educational credential | -19.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders make?
The national median salary for cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders is $43,530 a year ($20.93 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,790 and the top 10% earn over $58,570. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders the most?
Maine has the highest median pay at $64,610.
How many cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 14,760 people work as cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders nationwide.