Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tender Salary in 2026
How Much Do Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders Make?
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders earn a median annual salary of $41,460 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $32,770 at the 10th percentile to $56,590 at the 90th percentile — a range of $23,820. The highest-paying state is Virginia at $55,900.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,770 |
| 25th percentile | $37,140 |
| Median (50th) | $41,460 |
| 75th percentile | $48,280 |
| 90th percentile | $56,590 |
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tender Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginiatop | $55,900 |
| Wisconsin | $51,410 |
| New York | $50,430 |
| Minnesota | $47,310 |
| North Dakota | $46,760 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,300 |
| Louisiana | $45,270 |
| Massachusetts | $45,050 |
| Oregon | $43,870 |
| California | $43,770 |
| Utah | $43,730 |
| Indiana | $43,290 |
| Michigan | $43,040 |
| New Jersey | $42,180 |
| Iowa | $42,060 |
| South Dakota | $41,600 |
| New Hampshire | $41,590 |
| Kansas | $41,560 |
| Georgia | $41,320 |
| Maine | $41,070 |
| Montana | $40,650 |
| Arkansas | $40,430 |
| Kentucky | $40,140 |
| Ohio | $39,980 |
| South Carolina | $39,980 |
| Washington | $39,790 |
| Tennessee | $39,680 |
| Connecticut | $39,330 |
| Missouri | $39,240 |
| Arizona | $38,550 |
| Rhode Island | $38,520 |
| Oklahoma | $38,360 |
| Texas | $38,330 |
| Nebraska | $38,260 |
| North Carolina | $37,640 |
| Florida | $35,630 |
| Alabama | $34,920 |
| Mississippi | $34,410 |
| Idaho | $32,060 |
| Nevada | $31,200 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tender Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$32,770 – $37,140 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$41,460 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$48,280 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $56,590+ |
How to Earn More as a Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tender
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders in Virginia earn $55,900 — $14,440 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($48,280) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tender Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenderthis career | $41,460 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender | $42,730 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tender | $40,550 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operator | $45,190 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tender | $55,770 |
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SOC: 51-9192.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.