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 MonitoringTime ManagementSpeakingMonitoringCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingQuality Control AnalysisComplex Problem SolvingWritingTroubleshootingManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesEquipment MaintenanceService OrientationInstructingActive LearningSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisPersuasionNegotiationMathematicsEquipment SelectionRepairingScienceOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingTechnology DesignInstallation
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityPsychologyEducation and TrainingChemistryMechanicalAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyFood ProductionPersonnel and Human ResourcesPhysicsBiologyComputers and ElectronicsForeign LanguageTransportationBuilding and ConstructionAdministrativeSociology and AnthropologyMedicine and DentistryEconomics and AccountingDesignLaw and GovernmentGeographySales and MarketingCommunications and MediaTherapy and CounselingTelecommunicationsHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Word
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsDocumenting/Recording InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesProcessing InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleWorking with ComputersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkTraining and Teaching OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesThinking CreativelyGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesSelling or Influencing OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
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
128 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Acid DipperAgitatorAgricultural Produce WasherAir Table OperatorAmpoule Washing Machine OperatorAnodizerBag BleacherBarrel CleanerBenzene WasherBenzene Washer OperatorBenzol OperatorBenzol Still OperatorBlancherBlanching Machine OperatorBleach Boiler FillerBleach Machine OperatorBleach Plant OperatorBleacherBleacher OperatorBleaching Machine OperatorBlow Pit OperatorBottle WasherBottle Washing Machine OperatorBranner Machine TenderBrass PicklerBrown Stock WasherCar Wash Technician (Car Wash Tech)CIP Technician (Clean in Places Technician)Clean in Places Operator (CIP Operator)Cleaning Machine OperatorCore Machine OperatorCoring Machine OperatorDecker OperatorDefinerDeflash and Wash OperatorDegreaserDegreaser OperatorDehairerDelimerDip Lube Operator