Manufacturing51-9012.00Specialization

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.

$48,120
Median Pay
Less than 6 months
Training
🟠
In Transition

This is a specialization of

Other Production Workers

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 2/6: low AI task exposure, declining job demand, limited human advantage indicates this career is being transformed by AI

🟠In Transition

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

14% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Declining+0

-4% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 9/25

Total Score2/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Time to Job Ready

0-1 years

Based on Job Zone 2. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Microsoft ExcelERP systems (SAP)Process control softwareProduction tracking

Key Abilities

Near VisionPerceptual SpeedProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingArm-Hand SteadinessReaction TimeOral ComprehensionFlexibility of ClosureSelective AttentionControl Precision

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Compensation Details

$34,100
10th Percentile
$48,120
Median
$72,950
90th Percentile

Based on 53,170 employed workers

Also Known As

Absorber OperatorAbsorption OperatorAcetone Recovery WorkerAcetylene Plant OperatorAcid ExtractorAcid PurifierAlmond Blancher OperatorAlmond HullerAmalgamatorAmmonium Nitrate Crystallizer

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 51-9012.00