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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $49,500 in the US and is projected to decline by 4% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.55 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, Quality Control Analysis.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £33,959 a year for Chemical and related process operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £28,813 to £42,542 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8113). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
No official India pay figure for this career: it falls in more than one occupation group, and the Government of India's labour survey (PLFS) publishes pay only by occupation group.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Chemistry
- Computers and Electronics
What you'd actually do
- Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
- Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
- Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
- Turn valves or move controls to admit, drain, separate, filter, clarify, mix, or transfer materials.
- Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
- Examine samples to verify qualities such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, dryness, or texture.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does 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. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.
How much does Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?
The median annual salary for Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in the US is $49,500.
What is the job outlook for Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The role is projected to decline by 4% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 54,400 workers.
How do I become separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Our AI-durability model gives Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders a score of 0.55 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.