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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders to decrease by -5.7% between 2024 and 2034, from 61,400 to 57,900 jobs. Its estimate of 5,200 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($51,610), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
61,400
Projected employment (2034)
57,900
Projected change (2024–2034)
-6%
Annual openings (projected average)
5,200
Pay & Preparation
$51,610
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operations Monitoring (3.75/5) • Operation and Control (3.12/5) • Monitoring (3.12/5) • Critical Thinking (3.12/5) • Quality Control Analysis (3.12/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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