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Food and Beverage Manufacturing
PepsiCo, Nestlé, Kraft Heinz
Home / All Jobs / Trades / Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
These workers run equipment that separates, filters, clarifies, or otherwise processes liquids and solids in plants, treatment facilities, and other production settings. The work is hands-on and detail-heavy: they watch gauges, adjust flow or temperature, test samples, and clean equipment so the process stays within spec. The tradeoff is that the job can be repetitive and physically messy, and the occupation is projected to shrink slightly over the next decade.
Also known as Process OperatorProduction OperatorMachine OperatorPlant OperatorControl Room Operator
Median Salary
$49,500
Mean $53,830
U.S. Workforce
~54K
5.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-4.3%
54.4K to 52K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~54K workers, with a median annual pay of $49,500 and roughly 5.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 54.4 K in 2024 to 52K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Production Helper and can progress toward Shift Lead or Production Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Process Monitoring, Gauges & Control Panels, Machine Operation, Flow Controls & Valve Adjustments, and Quality Sampling, Visual Inspection & Basic Lab Tests, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Clear communication, and Critical thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Load the right amount of material into tanks, hoppers, or processing machines.
- Watch gauges, meters, and control panels, then adjust settings like flow, pressure, or temperature when conditions drift.
- Take samples and check them for things like clarity, dryness, cleanliness, or texture before the batch moves forward.
- Record readings, test results, and shift output in paper logs or computer systems.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Load the right amount of material into tanks, hoppers, or processing machines.
02 Watch gauges, meters, and control panels, then adjust settings like flow, pressure, or temperature when conditions drift.
03 Take samples and check them for things like clarity, dryness, cleanliness, or texture before the batch moves forward.
04 Record readings, test results, and shift output in paper logs or computer systems.
05 Wash and sanitize tanks, screens, pipes, and work areas between runs.
06 Talk with coworkers about process changes and inspect equipment for leaks, wear, or other problems.
Industries That Hire
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Chemical Manufacturing
Dow, BASF, DuPont
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Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson
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Water and Wastewater Treatment
Veolia, Xylem, American Water
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Petroleum Refining
ExxonMobil, Chevron, Marathon Petroleum
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get started with a high school diploma, and 90.81% of workers in this occupation do.
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The pay is respectable for a job that usually does not require a degree, with a median annual wage of $49,500 and a mean of $53,830.
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Employers usually provide moderate-term on-the-job training, so you do not need years of experience to break in.
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There are still about 5.4K annual openings, so people who learn the basics can find opportunities even in a shrinking field.
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The work is practical and visible: when you adjust the flow, clean the equipment, or catch a bad sample, you can see the result right away.
Challenges
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The occupation is expected to shrink by 4.3%, from 54.4K jobs in 2024 to 52.0K by 2034, so long-term growth is weak.
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Automation and centralized monitoring can replace some hands-on operator jobs, which limits how many positions plants need.
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The work can be repetitive and unforgiving; one missed reading or bad sample can spoil a batch or slow an entire line.
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You spend time around wet, hot, dirty, or chemical-heavy equipment, and cleaning tanks, screens, and pipes is part of the job.
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Career advancement can stall unless you move into lead, maintenance, or supervision roles, because the core job has a fairly low formal education requirement.
Career Progression
Production Helper
0-1 years
$34K-$42K
Helps load materials, clean equipment, and learn basic machine checks while working under close supervision.
Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
1-4 years
$45K-$56K
Runs standard equipment, keeps an eye on process readings, and makes routine adjustments to keep production moving.
Senior Process Operator THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$57K-$68K
Handles more complex systems, solves process problems faster, and takes responsibility for higher-stakes quality checks.
Shift Lead or Production Supervisor
8+ years
$69K-$82K
Coordinates the crew, assigns work, and manages production problems, shutdowns, and safety issues during a shift.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The main entry point, held by 90.81% of workers in this occupation.
Post-secondary certificate in process technology or plant operations
A smaller route, held by 1.92% of workers, and often used by people who want more structured technical training before starting.
Some college coursework in manufacturing or applied science
An alternative path held by 1.47% of workers, usually as partial training rather than a full degree program.
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Many employers still teach the job on site, and BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training with no prior experience required.
Key Skills
Technical
Process Monitoring, Gauges & Control Panels 69%
Machine Operation, Flow Controls & Valve Adjustments 53%
Quality Sampling, Visual Inspection & Basic Lab Tests 53%
Production Logs, SCADA Systems & Computerized Batch Records 53%
Cleaning Systems, Hoses, Brushes & Preventive Maintenance 50%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailClear communicationCritical thinkingStaying alertGood judgmentCareful listening Job Outlook and Trends
+-4.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
5.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 54.4K to 52 K over the next decade, representing -4.3% growth. Around 5.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.