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.
From people doing the work
Working with separation and filtration equipment is a constant dance of monitoring gauges, adjusting valves, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. It's often loud, sometimes messy, but there's a real satisfaction in seeing raw materials transformed into a refined product. Attention to detail and a knack for troubleshooting are key.
Drawn from AIChE forums, Industry blogs, Operator interviews
Attribution: Composite
Composite · Synthesised from AIChE forums, Industry blogs, Operator interviews
A day in the life of a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 75% Team / 25% Solo
- Client facing
- Never
- Impact visibility
- Very High
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-50
- Stress level
- Moderate
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary, education and outlook at a glance
- Median salary
- $49,500
- Entry-level
- $37,000
- Senior
- $69,000
- Growth by 2033
- -4.3%
- Demand
- Declining
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- 86%
- Typical student debt
- Moderate
Skills you need as a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Hard skills
- Production and Processing
- Operations Monitoring
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Soft skills
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
Technical complexity: Moderate
Tools of the trade
Core tools
- Continuous Flow Equipment (Hardware): Operates systems for continuous material processing and separation.
- Filter Presses (Hardware): Separates solids from liquids using pressure filtration.
- Centrifuges (Hardware): Separates components of different densities using centrifugal force.
Commonly used
- Shaker Screens (Hardware): Separates particles by size using vibrating screens.
- Evaporating Tanks (Hardware): Concentrates solutions by removing solvent through evaporation.
- Process Control Systems (Software): Monitors and controls industrial processes to maintain optimal operating conditions.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Hardware): Ensures safety by protecting against chemical exposure and physical hazards.
- Hand Tools (Hardware): Used for minor adjustments, maintenance, and cleaning of machinery.
How to become a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Minimum education
- High School Diploma
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 3-5
- Years to senior
- 8-12
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- General Laborer: Individuals often start in general labor roles within manufacturing or processing plants before specializing.
- Production Assistant: Entry-level production assistants can gain experience with machinery operation and plant safety protocols.
- Material Handler: Experience with handling raw materials and finished products is transferable to operating processing equipment.
Where you can go from here
- Chemical Plant Operator: Operators can advance to more complex chemical processing roles with additional training and experience.
- Water Treatment Plant Operator: Skills in separating and filtering are directly applicable to operating and maintaining water treatment facilities.
- Quality Control Technician: Understanding of separation processes is valuable for ensuring product quality and adherence to standards.
- Maintenance Technician: Familiarity with industrial machinery makes maintenance a natural progression for troubleshooting and repair.
Typical progression
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Lead
- or Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders job outlook and future demand
- Automation probability
- Very High
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Declining
Job satisfaction as a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Overall satisfaction
- 5.8/10
- Meaning
- 5/10
- Work-life balance
- 6/10
- Prestige
- 4/10
- Social perception
- Low
Where practitioners gather
Professional organisations
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE): A professional organization for chemical engineers, offering resources and networking.
- Water Environment Federation (WEF): A technical and educational organization focused on water quality and wastewater treatment.
Podcasts and media
- Chemical Processing: An industry publication providing news, articles, and technical information for chemical processing professionals.
Reddit communities
- r/chemicalengineering: An online community for discussions related to chemical engineering and process operations.
Online communities
- Process Industry Forum: An online forum for professionals in the process industries to share knowledge and discuss challenges.