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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.
- Median pay
- $49,500
- per year
- 10-year outlook
- -4.3%
- Declining
- Typical entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
Key skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
What they 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.
- Start agitators, shakers, conveyors, pumps, or centrifuge machines.
- Inspect machines or equipment for hazards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, or leaks.
- Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
- Communicate processing instructions to other workers.
Majors that lead here
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections) and O*NET, used under CC BY 4.0.