Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Also called: Cleaning and Pickling Equipment Operators
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.
Also called: Acid Dipper, Agitator, Agricultural Produce Washer, Air Table Operator, Ampoule Washing Machine Operator, Anodizer
Median pay
$43,530
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$33,790 – $58,570
People employed
14,760
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 3.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 4.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 5.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 6.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (39 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in every state →
What cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders do
- 01Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
- 02Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
- 03Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.
- 04Draw samples for laboratory analysis, or test solutions for conformance to specifications, such as acidity or specific gravity.
- 05Adjust, clean, and lubricate mechanical parts of machines, using hand tools and grease guns.
- 06Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Psychology
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders89% · −12%
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic85% · +12%
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders83% · +3%
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers83% · −20%
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders83% · −4%
Change into cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders90% · $38,180
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders89% · $41,590
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers89% · $34,890
- Food Batchmakers87% · $42,290
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders86% · $44,810