Occupation · SOC 51-9192
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber, to remove impurities.
Median wage
$41,460
$32,770–$56,590
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
13,890
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations Monitoring
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Spreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.Operate or tend machines to wash and remove impurities from items such as barrels or kegs, glass products, tin plate surfaces, dried fruit, pulp, animal stock, coal, manufactured articles, plastic, or rubber.Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs.Examine and inspect machines to detect malfunctions.Measure, weigh, or mix cleaning solutions, using measuring tanks, calibrated rods or suction tubes.Draw samples for laboratory analysis, or test solutions for conformance to specifications, such as acidity or specific gravity.Adjust, clean, and lubricate mechanical parts of machines, using hand tools and grease guns.Load machines with objects to be processed and unload them after cleaning, placing them on conveyors or racks.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Chemical additions to cleaning tanks — measure and add specified amounts under direct supervisor guidance on a production floor.Machine gauges and thermometers — observe and read basic indicators under close supervision during assigned wash cycles.Cycle controls and conveyor start-up — set temperature and timing parameters following written step-by-step instructions on the production line.Cleaning solutions and water — drain and refill machine tanks at designated intervals under direct oversight in a manufacturing facility.Wash and rinse machines — tend basic equipment to remove surface impurities from assigned items following established operating procedures.Production log entries — record gauge readings and materials used in handwritten or digital logs under supervisor review on the shop floor.Machine exteriors and visible components — inspect for obvious malfunctions or leaks and report findings to a lead operator.Cleaning solution mixtures — measure and weigh ingredients using calibrated rods and measuring tanks as directed by a supervisor.Personal protective equipment and safety protocols — apply required PPE and chemical-handling procedures during all machine operation tasks.Spreadsheet and word processing software — enter basic production data into pre-formatted templates under guidance in a plant office setting.
developing
Chemical solution concentrations — monitor and adjust additive quantities at required intervals to maintain specified levels across multiple tanks.Control panels and process gauges — interpret readings and make routine adjustments to temperature, pressure, and flow with minimal supervision.Conveyor speeds, pump settings, and agitator cycles — configure and start equipment for standard production runs in a high-volume manufacturing environment.Machine tanks and internal components — drain, clean, and refill on scheduled intervals using appropriate cleaning agents and safety practices.Cleaning and pickling machines — operate across a range of materials including metal surfaces, glass, and plastic parts through full production shifts.Production logs and batch records — record processing times, test results, and solution usage accurately in spreadsheet-based tracking systems.Equipment malfunctions and process deviations — detect and diagnose routine mechanical or chemical issues and apply first-level corrective actions.Solution preparation procedures — measure, weigh, and mix cleaning agents using suction tubes and calibrated instruments to meet batch specifications.Cycle performance outcomes — evaluate finished product cleanliness against quality standards and flag non-conforming items for review.Shift handover documentation — complete and communicate status of ongoing processes, materials consumed, and pending tasks to incoming operators.
proficient
Chemical treatment programs — manage solution concentrations, titration schedules, and additive timing autonomously across complex multi-stage cleaning systems.Process control variables — monitor and fine-tune temperature, cycle length, and agitation parameters to optimize throughput and quality on non-routine product runs.Full equipment start-up and shutdown sequences — execute independently for diverse machine configurations including pickling lines and barrel-washing systems.Preventive maintenance schedules — coordinate draining, cleaning, and mechanical inspection of tanks and conveyors to minimize unplanned downtime.Varied substrate materials — apply correct cleaning and pickling protocols for metal plate, rubber, dried fruit, coal, or animal stock based on material-specific requirements.Production and compliance records — maintain accurate logs, interpret historical data trends, and generate reports for quality and regulatory purposes.Mechanical fault diagnosis — identify root causes of equipment malfunctions using sensory inspection and gauge analysis, recommending and implementing effective repairs.Bulk solution formulation — calculate and prepare large-scale chemical mixtures precisely, adjusting for batch size variations and environmental conditions.Quality inspection outcomes — assess processed items against dimensional, surface, and cleanliness specifications and adjust machine parameters to resolve deviations.Operator training support — demonstrate correct machine operation, chemical-handling techniques, and safety protocols to newer team members on the production floor.
advanced
Facility-wide cleaning and pickling operations — direct workflow scheduling, machine allocation, and staffing to meet production targets across multiple lines.Process improvement initiatives — lead systematic analysis of chemical usage, cycle efficiency, and waste reduction to deliver measurable cost and quality gains.Chemical treatment standards and SOPs — author and maintain facility-level standard operating procedures ensuring regulatory compliance and operational consistency.Equipment reliability programs — design and oversee preventive and predictive maintenance strategies that reduce machine downtime across the production department.Cross-functional quality initiatives — collaborate with engineering, safety, and quality assurance teams to resolve recurring product defects and process non-conformances.Operator competency development — design structured on-the-job training curricula and skills assessments for cleaning and pickling equipment roles at all levels.Chemical procurement and inventory strategy — evaluate suppliers, negotiate quantities, and manage safety data compliance for all treatment chemicals used plant-wide.Production reporting and performance metrics — analyze shift logs, throughput data, and defect trends using spreadsheet tools to brief management on operational performance.Regulatory and environmental compliance — ensure all chemical disposal, emission controls, and hazardous material handling meet applicable OSHA and EPA standards.Capital equipment decisions — assess aging or underperforming machines, build business cases for upgrades, and oversee installation and commissioning of new cleaning systems.
Also known as
156 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Meat PicklerCore Machine OperatorBleacher, PulpWool WasherDust-Collector AttendantWash-Mill OperatorPickle PumperBleach Plant OperatorWafer CleanerScrub Wheel OperatorTank WasherBranner Machine TenderElectrode Cleaning Machine OperatorSemiconductor Wafers Cleaning Machine TenderMetal-Washing-Machine OperatorDelimerSilver Stripper, MachinePrecipitate WasherPress OperatorTub WasherVegetable Washing Machine OperatorEquipment SanitizerImmersion Metal CleanerDehairerCIP Technician (Clean in Places Technician)Air-Table OperatorBleach Boiler FillerElectrode-Cleaning-Machine OperatorWasher, MachineBleacherSanitation TechnicianBlow-Pit OperatorMachine WasherBrass PicklerPressroom Worker, FatMetal Washing Machine OperatorAnodizerMetal NeutralizerWash-House WorkerGlass-Cleaning-Machine Tender