Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median $51,610 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders do
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.
- 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
- -5.7% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 5,200
Employment of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to shrink 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,200 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.
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,013
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,200
- Medicare (1.45%)$748
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$43,649
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,200 | $17.40 | $31,267 |
| 25th percentile | $44,410 | $21.35 | $37,863 |
| Median (50th) | $51,610 | $24.81 | $43,649 |
| 75th percentile | $63,930 | $30.74 | $53,548 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,750 | $38.34 | $64,934 |
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $108,900 | +3.3% | $85,441 | $46,000 – $117,600 | 410 |
| Nevada | $62,960 | +0.9% | $52,768 | $41,840 – $91,240 | 270 |
| New Hampshire | $60,340 | +6.8% | $50,663 | $43,080 – $83,750 | 590 |
| Wisconsin | $60,100 | −2.7% | $48,607 | $38,250 – $76,750 | 1,520 |
| Virginia | $59,480 | +19.8% | $47,366 | $37,460 – $80,820 | 2,130 |
| North Dakota | $59,390 | +4.9% | $49,900 | $41,960 – $75,830 | 270 |
| Kentucky | $58,770 | +6.1% | $47,462 | $45,160 – $71,310 | 1,500 |
| Louisiana | $58,640 | +22.0% | $47,924 | $34,900 – $77,340 | 770 |
| New Jersey | $58,140 | +16.6% | $47,231 | $42,430 – $89,340 | 930 |
| Arizona | $57,820 | +10.7% | $47,402 | $37,270 – $74,810 | 970 |
| Maine | $57,190 | +15.3% | $45,454 | $45,650 – $79,800 | 430 |
| Minnesota | $57,190 | +7.6% | $45,767 | $40,210 – $73,270 | 1,810 |
| Washington | $56,160 | −4.0% | $47,305 | $41,740 – $78,700 | 1,560 |
| New York | $55,990 | +7.9% | $44,742 | $38,340 – $82,530 | 3,490 |
| Maryland | $55,580 | +11.3% | $44,562 | $36,990 – $81,600 | 580 |
| Georgia | $55,500 | +17.4% | $44,517 | $33,320 – $80,140 | 1,210 |
| Indiana | $53,990 | +5.9% | $43,998 | $40,600 – $65,590 | 1,510 |
| Vermont | $53,570 | +5.6% | $43,863 | $44,660 – $67,750 | 230 |
| California | $52,910 | −10.5% | $42,781 | $34,320 – $83,630 | 14,210 |
| Iowa | $52,220 | +3.9% | $42,806 | $39,200 – $83,210 | 1,090 |
| Idaho | $52,160 | +2.7% | $42,434 | $39,880 – $74,710 | 780 |
| Hawaii | $51,070 | −0.6% | $40,854 | $37,710 – $75,500 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $50,780 | +4.2% | $42,982 | $38,390 – $60,980 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $50,470 | +9.9% | $42,733 | $33,830 – $75,280 | 2,450 |
| Connecticut | $50,370 | −0.0% | $41,311 | $38,020 – $71,050 | 310 |
| Oregon | $50,160 | +4.2% | $38,924 | $36,880 – $79,020 | 1,340 |
| Florida | $49,610 | +13.5% | $42,042 | $32,210 – $82,280 | 1,150 |
| Colorado | $49,590 | +6.0% | $40,552 | $38,270 – $76,510 | 1,970 |
| Michigan | $49,480 | +5.5% | $40,085 | $34,020 – $64,740 | 2,230 |
| Oklahoma | $49,440 | +31.7% | $40,226 | $34,600 – $76,500 | 260 |
| South Carolina | $49,320 | +3.2% | $40,007 | $33,430 – $75,800 | 470 |
| Missouri | $49,290 | +11.5% | $40,405 | $34,100 – $82,850 | 1,590 |
| North Carolina | $49,140 | +6.6% | $40,212 | $36,120 – $73,840 | 1,310 |
| Massachusetts | $48,970 | +5.5% | $39,299 | $38,730 – $76,420 | 510 |
| Kansas | $48,790 | +11.3% | $39,460 | $39,190 – $76,240 | 450 |
| Illinois | $48,440 | −8.3% | $38,849 | $31,200 – $73,880 | 780 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,390 | −3.1% | $39,576 | $32,130 – $70,590 | 2,150 |
| Alaska | $48,000 | −20.6% | $40,748 | $36,670 – $73,910 | 100 |
| Montana | $47,920 | −2.4% | $39,188 | $37,080 – $64,160 | 340 |
| Ohio | $47,640 | +1.9% | $39,931 | $34,910 – $63,550 | 1,470 |
| Delaware | $47,520 | +4.8% | $38,402 | $36,660 – $59,840 | 110 |
| Nebraska | $47,080 | +5.0% | $38,746 | $35,990 – $62,650 | 1,050 |
| Alabama | $46,970 | +13.8% | $37,837 | $34,520 – $58,820 | 140 |
| Texas | $46,910 | +6.0% | $39,872 | $35,720 – $69,670 | 1,460 |
| Rhode Island | $46,710 | −1.5% | $38,577 | $37,060 – $71,130 | 140 |
| Utah | $46,600 | +2.1% | $38,492 | $37,260 – $60,030 | 480 |
| Mississippi | $43,890 | +2.9% | $36,422 | $31,500 – $71,000 | 100 |
| Arkansas | $41,720 | −0.3% | $34,288 | $30,970 – $55,750 | 500 |
| New Mexico | $41,370 | +3.4% | $34,609 | $32,470 – $56,100 | 370 |
| West Virginia | $35,870 | +15.5% | $30,040 | $26,620 – $51,610 | 110 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender | $58,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $51,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.2% |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 | High school diploma or equivalent | -9.4% |
| Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker | $52,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.2% |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,270 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.6% |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $49,610 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.9% |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,990 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.1% |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,570 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.7% |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,250 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders make?
The national median salary for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders is $51,610 a year ($24.81 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,200 and the top 10% earn over $79,750. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Wyoming has the highest median pay at $108,900.
How many separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 60,100 people work as separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders nationwide.