Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Separating Machine Operators
Separating Machine Operators 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Separating Machine Operators 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.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Separating Machine Operators monitor material flow or instruments such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters to ensure optimal processing conditions. They inspect machines or equipment for hazards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, or leaks.
A typical day for a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating and Still Machine Setter, Operator and Tender will also include:
- Maintain logs of instrument readings, test results, or shift production for entry in computer databases.
- Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
- Test samples to determine viscosity, acidity, specific gravity, or degree of concentration, using test equipment such as viscometers, pH meters, or hydrometers.
- Communicate processing instructions to other workers.
- Examine samples to verify qualities such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, dryness, or texture.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Separating Machine Operators also connect pipes between vats and processing equipment. They may also remove full containers from discharge outlets and replace them with empty containers.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Separating Machine Operators remove clogs, defects, or impurities from machines, tanks, conveyors, screens, or other processing equipment. They might also clean or sterilize tanks, screens, inflow pipes, production areas, or equipment, using hoses, brushes, scrapers, or chemical solutions.
In addition, they assemble fittings, valves, bowls, plates, disks, impeller shafts, or other parts to prepare equipment for operation.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them install, maintain, or repair hoses, pumps, filters, or screens to maintain processing equipment, using hand tools.
To some Separating Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to turn valves to pump sterilizing solutions or rinse water through pipes or equipment, or to spray vats with atomizers.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
77% said they were satisfied with their job and 61% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work both indoors and outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Separating Machine Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $27,910 to $34,230 per year or $13 to $16 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $72,220 | $35 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $55,900 | $27 |
| Median | $43,100 | $21 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $34,230 | $16 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $27,910 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Separating Machine Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $80740 | $38.82 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $65830 | $31.65 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | $65240 | $31.37 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $65140 | $31.32 |
| Metal Ore Mining | $58790 | $28.26 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $53240 | $25.60 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | $53060 | $25.51 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $51990 | $25.00 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $50680 | $24.37 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $49140 | $23.63 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Separating Machine Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Separating Machine Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy Product Manufacturing | 5930 | $43930 | $21.12 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 3170 | $51990 | $25.00 |
| Grain and Oilseed Milling | 2970 | $42120 | $20.25 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 2050 | $50680 | $24.37 |
| Other Food Manufacturing | 1630 | $46420 | $22.32 |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 1370 | $41980 | $20.18 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 990 | $53240 | $25.60 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 880 | $44060 | $21.18 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 680 | $41470 | $19.94 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 680 | $43990 | $21.15 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Brewing Science
Viticulture and Enology
Zymology/Fermentation Science
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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