Occupation · SOC 51-9012
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 wage
$49,500
$35,810–$75,860
Projected growth
-4.4%
Declining
Annual openings
-230
per year
Employed (US)
54,200
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
76 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlMonitoringCritical ThinkingTime ManagementReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningWritingTroubleshootingSpeakingRepairingEquipment MaintenanceCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesSystems AnalysisMathematicsInstructingSciencePersuasionService OrientationEquipment SelectionNegotiationSystems EvaluationManagement of Material ResourcesInstallationTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingOperations Analysis
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsEducation and TrainingChemistryComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyCustomer and Personal ServicePhysicsAdministration and ManagementPersonnel and Human ResourcesFood ProductionAdministrativeCommunications and MediaTransportationTelecommunicationsBiologyPsychologyBuilding and ConstructionLaw and GovernmentSales and MarketingDesignSociology and AnthropologyEconomics and AccountingGeographyMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Email softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSAP softwareSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProcessing InformationWorking with ComputersDocumenting/Recording InformationTraining and Teaching OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkThinking CreativelyCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials — dump, pour, or load into equipment or containers under direct supervisor guidance on the production floor.Basic machine startup procedures — follow step-by-step protocols to start agitators, shakers, or pumps with a trainer present in a processing facility.Temperature and pressure gauges — read and report instrument readings to a supervisor during routine monitoring shifts.Valves and manual controls — turn or move as directed to admit or drain materials through separation equipment under close oversight.Machine controls — observe and assist in adjusting settings for material flow and temperature under direct instruction from an experienced operator.Material samples — collect and visually examine for basic qualities such as clarity or cleanliness following standardized inspection checklists.Safety and environmental regulations — recognize and apply applicable rules while operating processing machines under supervision in a production environment.Equipment surfaces and connections — inspect for visible leaks, wear, or obvious malfunctions during pre-shift walkthroughs with a lead operator.Work instructions and safety data sheets — read and comprehend written operating procedures before performing assigned tasks on the production line.Personal protective equipment and hazard protocols — identify and use correctly when working around separation, filtration, or clarifying machinery.
developing
Measured quantities of raw or semi-processed materials — independently load or transfer into designated processing equipment in accordance with batch specifications.Separation, filtration, and clarifying machines — operate routinely with reduced oversight to meet production targets while complying with safety and environmental standards.Process instruments including temperature, pressure, and flow meters — monitor continuously during a shift and take corrective action within established parameters.Valve sequences and control adjustments — execute to separate, filter, mix, or transfer materials efficiently during standard production runs in a manufacturing plant.Machine control settings — set up and fine-tune for varying material types or batch sizes based on work orders and prior operating experience.Sample quality attributes such as consistency, dryness, and texture — examine and compare against acceptance criteria, documenting results in shift logs or spreadsheet software.Centrifuge machines, conveyors, and pumps — start and monitor for abnormal vibration, noise, or output deviations and escalate issues appropriately.Equipment inspection findings — record in maintenance logs or ERP software and communicate clearly to maintenance personnel or shift supervisors.Time-sensitive processing tasks — prioritize and manage across multiple machines during a shift to maintain continuous material flow with minimal downtime.Verbal operating instructions and shift handover communications — listen actively and ask clarifying questions to ensure accurate task transfer between crews.
proficient
Full separation and filtration processing sequences — perform autonomously across diverse material types and non-routine batch conditions with consistent quality outcomes.Process deviations indicated by instrument readings — diagnose root causes using critical thinking and implement corrective adjustments to restore optimal operating conditions.Complex valve and control configurations — operate with precision to handle simultaneous material transfers, mixing, and filtration steps in a high-throughput production environment.Non-standard sample results such as unexpected turbidity or off-spec texture — analyze, document findings, and make informed disposition decisions without escalation.Mechanical malfunctions and efficiency losses — identify through systematic equipment inspection and coordinate timely repairs to minimize production impact.Process compliance with safety, energy, and environmental regulations — evaluate and verify across all assigned machines during routine and non-routine operations.Production and processing knowledge — apply to optimize machine parameters for yield, cycle time, or energy efficiency across the full scope of assigned operations.Shift production data — compile and analyze using spreadsheet software to identify trends, flag process drift, and support continuous improvement initiatives.Judgment on material quality hold or release decisions — exercise independently based on sample analysis, instrument data, and established quality control criteria.Peer operators and new hires — guide informally on correct machine operation techniques, safety practices, and sample evaluation methods on the production floor.
advanced
Departmental operating standards for separation, filtration, and clarifying processes — develop and maintain to ensure consistent quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across all shifts.Cross-shift production performance — analyze using ERP and spreadsheet data to set improvement targets and drive accountability among operators and leads.Equipment upgrade or replacement evaluations — lead by assessing mechanical efficiency, wear patterns, and production data to inform capital investment recommendations.Operator training programs — design and deliver covering machine setup, instrument monitoring, sample evaluation, and hazard recognition for Job Zone 2 production personnel.Process control strategies — establish for managing temperature, pressure, and material flow across multiple interconnected separation and filtration systems at organizational scale.Regulatory and environmental compliance programs — oversee and audit to ensure all machine operations meet applicable safety, energy, and environmental requirements facility-wide.Quality control analysis frameworks — implement and refine to standardize sample examination criteria and acceptance thresholds across production lines and product families.Cross-functional collaboration with maintenance, quality, and engineering teams — lead to resolve chronic equipment reliability issues and implement sustainable process improvements.Emergency response and hazard mitigation protocols — author and communicate to ensure all production staff can safely manage equipment failures, leaks, or process upsets.Organizational production culture — model and promote cautiousness, attention to detail, and integrity as behavioral standards throughout the separation and filtration workforce.
Also known as
382 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Absorber OperatorAbsorption OperatorAcetone Recovery WorkerAcetylene Plant OperatorAcid ExtractorAcid PurifierAlmond Blancher OperatorAlmond HullerAmalgamatorAmmonium Nitrate CrystallizerAutomatic Centrifugal Station OperatorAutomatic Dry Starch OperatorBarley SteeperBasin OperatorBatch OperatorBatch Still OperatorBatch Tank ControllerBath Mix OperatorBeer BrewerBeer CoolerBeer MakerBeer RunnerBlack PicklerBlenderBoiling Tub OperatorBolterBone Cooking OperatorBone Glue MakerBottom Precipitator OperatorBrewerBrewery WorkerBrewmasterBrine Tank Separator OperatorButter LiquefierButter MakerButtermakerByproducts Pump OperatorCaramel Coloring OperatorCarbonation Equipment OperatorCarbonation Equipment Tender