Careers · Explore one path
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.
Other titles employers use
Blender · Brewer · Cellar Worker · Digester Cook · Machine Tender · Paper Machine Tender · Plant Operator · Pulper Operator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
Subjects to know
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Perceptual Speed
- Problem Sensitivity
- Information Ordering
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 3.3 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.9 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 96%
- A certificate or some college 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 11,700
- Job openings each year
- 1,130
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 11,700 | 1,130 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 3,260 | 310 | 7.6% |
| Colorado | 2,830 | 270 | 7.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,340 | 220 | 1.3% |
| North Carolina | 2,290 | 220 | 10.1% |
| New York | 1,990 | 0 | −4.3% |
| Washington | 1,950 | 230 | 20.4% |
| Kentucky | 1,800 | 170 | — |
| Minnesota | 1,620 | 150 | 4.5% |
| Tennessee | 1,600 | 160 | 9.6% |
| Ohio | 1,590 | 150 | — |
| Wisconsin | 1,570 | 150 | 6.1% |
| Virginia | 1,530 | 140 | 2.7% |
| Missouri | 1,390 | 130 | — |
| Oregon | 1,380 | 130 | 8.7% |
| Florida | 1,370 | 130 | 7.0% |
| Indiana | 1,240 | 120 | 1.6% |
| Michigan | 1,220 | 120 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 1,170 | 110 | 7.3% |
| Illinois | 1,150 | 110 | — |
| Iowa | 1,100 | 100 | 2.8% |
| Louisiana | 1,020 | 100 | 8.5% |
| Utah | 930 | 100 | 20.8% |
| Nebraska | 890 | 80 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 780 | 70 | 4.0% |
| South Carolina | 680 | 70 | 7.9% |
| Arkansas | 670 | 70 | 9.8% |
| Arizona | 620 | 60 | 21.6% |
| Maryland | 620 | 60 | 6.9% |
| Oklahoma | 620 | 60 | — |
| Montana | 550 | 60 | 17.0% |
| Kansas | 540 | 50 | 8.0% |
| Maine | 530 | 50 | −5.4% |
| New Mexico | 480 | 50 | 26.3% |
| Wyoming | 470 | 50 | 9.3% |
| Idaho | 450 | 40 | 7.1% |
| North Dakota | 430 | 40 | 13.2% |
| Alabama | 370 | 40 | 5.7% |
| South Dakota | 350 | 30 | 9.4% |
| Connecticut | 320 | 30 | 14.3% |
| Nevada | 320 | 40 | 33.3% |
| New Hampshire | 310 | 30 | 10.7% |
| Massachusetts | 270 | 30 | 8.0% |
| West Virginia | 270 | 20 | — |
| Vermont | 240 | 30 | 14.3% |
| Mississippi | 140 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Rhode Island | 100 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Puerto Rico | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| District of Columbia | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Degrees each year
- 81
- Admit rate
- 30%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 80
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 72
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Clemson University
- Degrees each year
- 60
- Admit rate
- 38%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
California State University-Fresno
- Degrees each year
- 48
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Mississippi State University
- Degrees each year
- 43
- Admit rate
- 76%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Kansas State University
- Degrees each year
- 38
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Degrees each year
- 38
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000