Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary by State
Also called: Separating Machine Operators
The national median pay for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders is $51,610 a year. By state, it ranges from $35,870 in West Virginia to $108,900 in Wyoming.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $36,200
- 25th percentile
- $44,410
- Median
- $51,610
- 75th percentile
- $63,930
- Top 10%
- $79,750
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 60,100 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $108,900 | +111% | $46,000 | $117,600 | 410 |
| 2 | Nevada | $62,960 | +22% | $41,840 | $91,240 | 270 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $60,340 | +17% | $43,080 | $83,750 | 590 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $60,100 | +16% | $38,250 | $76,750 | 1,520 |
| 5 | Virginia | $59,480 | +15% | $37,460 | $80,820 | 2,130 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $59,390 | +15% | $41,960 | $75,830 | 270 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $58,770 | +14% | $45,160 | $71,310 | 1,500 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $58,640 | +14% | $34,900 | $77,340 | 770 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $58,140 | +13% | $42,430 | $89,340 | 930 |
| 10 | Arizona | $57,820 | +12% | $37,270 | $74,810 | 970 |
| 11 | Maine | $57,190 | +11% | $45,650 | $79,800 | 430 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $57,190 | +11% | $40,210 | $73,270 | 1,810 |
| 13 | Washington | $56,160 | +9% | $41,740 | $78,700 | 1,560 |
| 14 | New York | $55,990 | +8% | $38,340 | $82,530 | 3,490 |
| 15 | Maryland | $55,580 | +8% | $36,990 | $81,600 | 580 |
| 16 | Georgia | $55,500 | +8% | $33,320 | $80,140 | 1,210 |
| 17 | Indiana | $53,990 | +5% | $40,600 | $65,590 | 1,510 |
| 18 | Vermont | $53,570 | +4% | $44,660 | $67,750 | 230 |
| 19 | California | $52,910 | +3% | $34,320 | $83,630 | 14,210 |
| 20 | Iowa | $52,220 | +1% | $39,200 | $83,210 | 1,090 |
| 21 | Idaho | $52,160 | +1% | $39,880 | $74,710 | 780 |
| 22 | Hawaii | $51,070 | −1% | $37,710 | $75,500 | 160 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $50,780 | −2% | $38,390 | $60,980 | 270 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $50,470 | −2% | $33,830 | $75,280 | 2,450 |
| 25 | Connecticut | $50,370 | −2% | $38,020 | $71,050 | 310 |
| 26 | Oregon | $50,160 | −3% | $36,880 | $79,020 | 1,340 |
| 27 | Florida | $49,610 | −4% | $32,210 | $82,280 | 1,150 |
| 28 | Colorado | $49,590 | −4% | $38,270 | $76,510 | 1,970 |
| 29 | Michigan | $49,480 | −4% | $34,020 | $64,740 | 2,230 |
| 30 | Oklahoma | $49,440 | −4% | $34,600 | $76,500 | 260 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $49,320 | −4% | $33,430 | $75,800 | 470 |
| 32 | Missouri | $49,290 | −4% | $34,100 | $82,850 | 1,590 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $49,140 | −5% | $36,120 | $73,840 | 1,310 |
| 34 | Massachusetts | $48,970 | −5% | $38,730 | $76,420 | 510 |
| 35 | Kansas | $48,790 | −5% | $39,190 | $76,240 | 450 |
| 36 | Illinois | $48,440 | −6% | $31,200 | $73,880 | 780 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $48,390 | −6% | $32,130 | $70,590 | 2,150 |
| 38 | Alaska | $48,000 | −7% | $36,670 | $73,910 | 100 |
| 39 | Montana | $47,920 | −7% | $37,080 | $64,160 | 340 |
| 40 | Ohio | $47,640 | −8% | $34,910 | $63,550 | 1,470 |
| 41 | Delaware | $47,520 | −8% | $36,660 | $59,840 | 110 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $47,080 | −9% | $35,990 | $62,650 | 1,050 |
| 43 | Alabama | $46,970 | −9% | $34,520 | $58,820 | 140 |
| 44 | Texas | $46,910 | −9% | $35,720 | $69,670 | 1,460 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | $46,710 | −9% | $37,060 | $71,130 | 140 |
| 46 | Utah | $46,600 | −10% | $37,260 | $60,030 | 480 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $43,890 | −15% | $31,500 | $71,000 | 100 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $41,720 | −19% | $30,970 | $55,750 | 500 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $41,370 | −20% | $32,470 | $56,100 | 370 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $35,870 | −30% | $26,620 | $51,610 | 110 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary questions
Which state pays separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Wyoming, with a median of $108,900 a year (+111% vs. the national median of $51,610). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders the least?
West Virginia, with a median of $35,870 a year (−30% vs. national).
Where do most separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders work?
California has the most jobs, about 14,210, with a median of $52,910.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.