Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operator Salary in 2026

    SOC: 51-9012.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $49,500
    per year
    Salary Range
    $36K – $76K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    54,200
    employed
    Job Growth
    -4.3%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operators Make?

    Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $49,500 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,810 at the 10th percentile to $75,860 at the 90th percentile — a range of $40,050. The highest-paying state is Wyoming at $105,470.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$35,810
    25th percentile$41,830
    Median (50th)$49,500
    75th percentile$61,350
    90th percentile$75,860
    10th: $35,810Median: $49,50090th: $75,860
    Section 02

    Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operator Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Wyomingtop$105,470
    Nevada$62,400
    Wisconsin$61,790
    Alaska$60,460
    California$59,090
    Washington$58,530
    North Dakota$56,600
    New Hampshire$56,510
    Kentucky$55,400
    Minnesota$53,150
    Illinois$52,850
    Arizona$52,220
    New York$51,880
    Hawaii$51,370
    Indiana$50,960
    Idaho$50,780
    Vermont$50,750
    Connecticut$50,380
    Iowa$50,260
    Pennsylvania$49,930
    Maryland$49,920
    New Jersey$49,880
    Virginia$49,650
    Maine$49,590
    Montana$49,090
    South Dakota$48,750
    District of Columbia$48,340
    Oregon$48,140
    Louisiana$48,050
    South Carolina$47,770
    Rhode Island$47,430
    Georgia$47,280
    Michigan$46,900
    Colorado$46,800
    Ohio$46,760
    Massachusetts$46,400
    North Carolina$46,090
    Tennessee$45,910
    Utah$45,620
    Delaware$45,360
    Nebraska$44,820
    Texas$44,260
    Missouri$44,210
    Kansas$43,840
    Florida$43,720
    Mississippi$42,670
    Arkansas$41,830
    Alabama$41,290
    New Mexico$40,010
    Oklahoma$37,540
    West Virginia$31,060
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operators

    Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area
    Highest paying
    $111,000
    top metro salary
    Wyoming
    $105,470
    $-5,530 vs highest
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
    $74,330
    $-36,670 vs highest
    Napa, CA
    $66,440
    $-44,560 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $63,150
    $-47,850 vs highest
    Walla Walla, WA
    $62,470
    $-48,530 vs highest
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
    $62,400
    $-48,600 vs highest
    Nevada
    $62,400
    $-48,600 vs highest
    Section 04

    Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operator 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 levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$35,810 – $41,830
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$49,500
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$61,350
    Senior (15+ yrs)$75,860+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operator

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operators in Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area earn $111,000 — $61,500 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 ($61,350) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Operatorthis career$49,500
    Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender$42,730
    Food Batchmaker$40,790
    Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tender$40,550
    Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tender$55,770

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 51-9012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.