SOC 51-9012 · Production Occupations

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025United States, all industries

U.S. median annual wage$51,610

U.S. median hourly wage$24.81

U.S. employment60,100

Nationally, separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders earned a median of $51,610 per year as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 60,100 jobs. Pay varies substantially by area — look up a specific state or metro below.

National pay distribution

Pay by state

Every state and territory with a published May 2025 estimate. “Not published” means BLS suppressed the value — it never means zero. Higher medians often track higher living costs; this is not a ranking of where the job is “best”.

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Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: pay and employment by state
State
Wyoming	$108,900	$52.35	410	1.5
Nevada	$62,960	$30.27	270	0.2
New Hampshire	$60,340	$29.01	590	0.9
Wisconsin	$60,100	$28.89	1,520	0.5
Virginia	$59,480	$28.60	2,130	0.5
North Dakota	$59,390	$28.56	270	0.6
Kentucky	$58,770	$28.25	1,500	0.8
Louisiana	$58,640	$28.19	770	0.4
New Jersey	$58,140	$27.95	930	0.2
Arizona	$57,820	$27.80	970	0.3
Maine	$57,190	$27.50	430	0.7
Minnesota	$57,190	$27.49	1,810	0.6
Washington	$56,160	$27.00	1,560	0.4
New York	$55,990	$26.92	3,490	0.4
Maryland	$55,580	$26.72	580	0.2
Georgia	$55,500	$26.68	1,210	0.2
Indiana	$53,990	$25.96	1,510	0.5
Vermont	$53,570	$25.76	230	0.7
California	$52,910	$25.44	14,210	0.8
Iowa	$52,220	$25.11	1,090	0.7
Idaho	$52,160	$25.08	780	0.9
Hawaii	$51,070	$24.55	160	0.3
South Dakota	$50,780	$24.41	270	0.6
Tennessee	$50,470	$24.26	2,450	0.7
Connecticut	$50,370	$24.22	310	0.2
Oregon	$50,160	$24.12	1,340	0.7
Florida	$49,610	$23.85	1,150	0.1
Colorado	$49,590	$23.84	1,970	0.7
Michigan	$49,480	$23.79	2,230	0.5
Oklahoma	$49,440	$23.77	260	0.2
South Carolina	$49,320	$23.71	470	0.2
Missouri	$49,290	$23.70	1,590	0.5
North Carolina	$49,140	$23.63	1,310	0.3
Massachusetts	$48,970	$23.54	510	0.1
Kansas	$48,790	$23.46	450	0.3
Illinois	$48,440	$23.29	780	0.1
Pennsylvania	$48,390	$23.26	2,150	0.4
Alaska	$48,000	$23.08	100	0.3
Montana	$47,920	$23.04	340	0.7
Ohio	$47,640	$22.90	1,470	0.3
Delaware	$47,520	$22.85	110	0.2
Nebraska	$47,080	$22.64	1,050	1.0
Alabama	$46,970	$22.58	140	0.1
Texas	$46,910	$22.55	1,460	0.1
Rhode Island	$46,710	$22.46	140	0.3
Utah	$46,600	$22.40	480	0.3
Mississippi	$43,890	$21.10	100	0.1
Arkansas	$41,720	$20.06	500	0.4
New Mexico	$41,370	$19.89	370	0.4
West Virginia	$35,870	$17.25	110	0.2
Puerto Rico	$32,000	$15.39	90	0.1

Pay by metro area

All 191 metro areas where BLS publishes this occupation. Sort by median wage, employment, or local concentration — or see the highest-paying metros ranked.

Each dot is one metro area with a published median — hover any dot for the name and figure. Metros without published estimates are not drawn.

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Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: pay and employment by metro area
Metro area
Syracuse, NY	$82,530	$39.68	520	1.7
Vallejo, CA	$82,440	$39.63	240	1.7
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$80,140	$38.53	640	0.2
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$76,350	$36.71	530	0.7
Modesto, CA	$73,690	$35.43	1,000	5.1
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$66,310	$31.88	220	4.4
Napa, CA	$64,000	$30.77	1,400	17.9
Owensboro, KY	$63,700	$30.63	60	1.2
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$62,320	$29.96	730	0.3
Merced, CA	$61,920	$29.77	270	3.4
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$61,550	$29.59	970	4.7
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$61,300	$29.47	690	0.4
Savannah, GA	$60,710	$29.19	60	0.3
Oklahoma City, OK	$60,480	$29.08	140	0.2
Fargo, ND-MN	$60,320	$29.00	70	0.5
Rochester, MN	$59,970	$28.83	40	0.4
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$59,690	$28.70	1,140	0.1
Greeley, CO	$59,670	$28.69	110	0.9
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$59,610	$28.66	230	0.6
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$59,600	$28.65	120	0.5
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$59,220	$28.47	750	1.1
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$59,100	$28.41	160	0.4
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$59,080	$28.40	760	0.3
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$59,020	$28.38	50	0.1
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$58,970	$28.35	740	0.3
Portland-South Portland, ME	$58,580	$28.17	240	0.8
Visalia, CA	$58,490	$28.12	300	1.7
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$58,430	$28.09	680	0.3
Joplin, MO-KS	$58,170	$27.97	160	1.8
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$57,900	$27.84	620	0.2
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$57,890	$27.83	670	0.6
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$57,700	$27.74	790	0.4
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$57,400	$27.60	140	1.1
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$57,060	$27.43	190	0.2
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$56,910	$27.36	250	0.2
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$56,850	$27.33	30	0.4
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$56,790	$27.30	510	0.5
Bozeman, MT	$56,560	$27.19	80	1.1
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	$56,490	$27.16	120	0.5
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$56,370	$27.10	280	0.2
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	$56,050	$26.95	80	1.5
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$55,990	$26.92	360	0.7
Charlottesville, VA	$55,970	$26.91	170	1.5
Richmond, VA	$55,960	$26.90	230	0.4
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$55,920	$26.89	90	0.3
Greensboro-High Point, NC	$55,800	$26.83	60	0.2
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	$55,680	$26.77	110	0.9
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$55,560	$26.71	100	1.1
Salem, OR	$55,100	$26.49	80	0.4
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$54,990	$26.44	200	0.2
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$54,830	$26.36	40	0.2
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$54,500	$26.20	100	0.1
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$54,190	$26.05	340	2.8
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$53,940	$25.93	430	1.5
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$53,920	$25.92	30	0.2
Reading, PA	$53,890	$25.91	130	0.7
Canton-Massillon, OH	$53,690	$25.81	50	0.3
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$53,570	$25.76	110	0.9
Wichita, KS	$53,410	$25.68	80	0.3
St. Louis, MO-IL	$53,360	$25.65	730	0.5
Boulder, CO	$53,340	$25.64	310	1.6
Birmingham, AL	$53,330	$25.64	60	0.1
Rochester, NY	$52,800	$25.39	230	0.5
Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ	$52,790	$25.38	30	0.5
Salinas, CA	$52,320	$25.16	150	0.8
Chambersburg, PA	$52,300	$25.15	40	0.6
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	$52,170	$25.08	40	0.4
Twin Falls, ID	$52,160	$25.08	120	2.4
Bend, OR	$52,000	$25.00	150	1.4
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$52,000	$25.00	350	0.3
Youngstown-Warren, OH	$52,000	$25.00	30	0.2
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	$51,600	$24.81	100	0.8
Bellingham, WA	$51,580	$24.80	50	0.6
Walla Walla, WA	$51,540	$24.78	150	5.7
Lynchburg, VA	$51,520	$24.77	120	1.3
Reno, NV	$51,340	$24.68	70	0.2
Utica-Rome, NY	$51,320	$24.68	90	0.8
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$51,300	$24.66	130	0.5
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$51,180	$24.61	980	0.6
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$51,150	$24.59	210	0.5
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$51,070	$24.55	40	0.5
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$51,050	$24.54	190	0.3
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$51,030	$24.54	680	0.2
New Haven, CT	$50,930	$24.48	90	0.3
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$50,900	$24.47	310	1.5
Green Bay, WI	$50,840	$24.44	40	0.2
Manchester-Nashua, NH	$50,740	$24.40	40	0.2
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	$50,590	$24.32	170	2.0
Spartanburg, SC	$50,540	$24.30	40	0.2
Kingston, NY	$50,530	$24.29	50	0.9
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$50,470	$24.27	130	0.3
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$50,470	$24.26	930	1.5
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$50,440	$24.25	30	0.4
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$50,380	$24.22	670	0.6
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$50,360	$24.21	530	0.1
Albany, OR	$50,340	$24.20	30	0.6
Asheville, NC	$50,310	$24.19	210	1.2
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$50,310	$24.19	70	0.1
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$50,260	$24.17	300	0.2
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$50,150	$24.11	800	0.5
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$50,000	$24.04	260	0.2
Tucson, AZ	$49,980	$24.03	80	0.2
Anchorage, AK	$49,960	$24.02	50	0.3
Columbus, OH	$49,920	$24.00	210	0.2
Missoula, MT	$49,920	$24.00	50	0.7
Boise City, ID	$49,850	$23.97	180	0.5
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$49,830	$23.96	430	0.7
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$49,620	$23.86	160	0.9
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$49,480	$23.79	70	0.4
Baton Rouge, LA	$49,460	$23.78	100	0.2
Lexington-Fayette, KY	$49,440	$23.77	150	0.5
Altoona, PA	$49,350	$23.73	30	0.5
Columbia, SC	$49,320	$23.71	110	0.3
Kansas City, MO-KS	$49,290	$23.70	280	0.3
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$49,250	$23.68	30	0.4
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA	$49,180	$23.64	30	0.6
Ann Arbor, MI	$49,070	$23.59	40	0.2
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$49,040	$23.58	110	0.3
Fort Wayne, IN	$48,930	$23.52	80	0.4
Worcester, MA	$48,890	$23.51	70	0.2
Glens Falls, NY	$48,860	$23.49	30	0.6
Springfield, MO	$48,780	$23.45	100	0.4
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$48,660	$23.40	290	0.1
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$48,630	$23.38	570	0.3
Duluth, MN-WI	$48,620	$23.38	40	0.3
Roanoke, VA	$48,610	$23.37	Not published	Not published
Pittsburgh, PA	$48,590	$23.36	330	0.3
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$48,570	$23.35	150	0.4
York-Hanover, PA	$48,390	$23.26	110	0.6
Niles, MI	$48,250	$23.20	50	0.8
Winston-Salem, NC	$48,100	$23.13	60	0.2
Madison, WI	$48,000	$23.08	160	0.4
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$47,950	$23.05	Not published	Not published
Chico, CA	$47,680	$22.92	80	1.0
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR	$47,510	$22.84	70	0.3
Fresno, CA	$47,440	$22.81	460	1.0
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	$47,440	$22.81	60	0.1
Yakima, WA	$47,330	$22.75	90	0.9
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$47,240	$22.71	220	0.7
Cleveland, OH	$47,100	$22.65	300	0.3
Lincoln, NE	$47,080	$22.64	220	1.2
St. Cloud, MN	$47,070	$22.63	100	1.0
Topeka, KS	$47,040	$22.62	40	0.3
Omaha, NE-IA	$47,030	$22.61	360	0.7
Amarillo, TX	$46,910	$22.55	40	0.3
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	$46,900	$22.55	120	0.4
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$46,870	$22.53	160	0.2
Traverse City, MI	$46,870	$22.54	120	1.8
Urban Honolulu, HI	$46,540	$22.38	70	0.2
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$46,520	$22.36	300	0.1
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	$46,430	$22.32	30	0.5
Jackson, MI	$46,380	$22.30	40	0.6
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	$46,380	$22.30	100	0.4
Wilmington, NC	$46,320	$22.27	50	0.3
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$46,260	$22.24	150	0.9
Medford, OR	$45,950	$22.09	80	0.8
Lafayette, LA	$45,910	$22.07	80	0.5
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	$45,700	$21.97	80	0.3
Billings, MT	$45,590	$21.92	60	0.7
Tulsa, OK	$45,570	$21.91	60	0.1
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	$45,490	$21.87	70	0.2
Fort Smith, AR-OK	$45,380	$21.82	40	0.4
Lancaster, PA	$45,190	$21.73	120	0.5
Pueblo, CO	$45,100	$21.68	40	0.6
El Paso, TX	$45,060	$21.66	40	0.1
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$44,910	$21.59	80	0.1
El Centro, CA	$44,790	$21.53	40	0.7
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	$44,730	$21.51	40	0.4
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$44,650	$21.47	80	0.2
Colorado Springs, CO	$44,450	$21.37	120	0.4
Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	$44,240	$21.27	50	0.2
Valdosta, GA	$43,990	$21.15	140	2.7
Jonesboro, AR	$43,160	$20.75	100	1.7
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$42,920	$20.64	370	0.3
Columbia, MO	$42,050	$20.22	80	0.7
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	$41,970	$20.18	70	0.0
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$41,730	$20.06	160	0.1
Killeen-Temple, TX	$41,600	$20.00	30	0.2
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$41,450	$19.93	40	0.1
Grand Junction, CO	$41,420	$19.92	40	0.6
Knoxville, TN	$40,970	$19.70	170	0.4
Ogden, UT	$40,590	$19.52	110	0.4
Toledo, OH	$39,630	$19.05	70	0.2
Albuquerque, NM	$39,070	$18.79	210	0.5
Vineland, NJ	$38,970	$18.73	70	1.1
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$36,680	$17.63	160	0.6
Grand Island, NE	$36,310	$17.46	40	1.0
Erie, PA	$35,530	$17.08	40	0.3
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	$28,330	$13.62	40	0.1
Jacksonville, FL	Not published	Not published	300	0.4
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	Not published	Not published	720	0.9

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.