Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
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 pay: $43,530/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +3.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 1,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders?
The median pay for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders is $43,530 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Employment for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders is projected to change +3.6% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders?
About 1,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.