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Occupation · SOC 51-9012

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

There are 60,100 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $51,610 a year. The most jobs are in Napa, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
60,100
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$51,610
Median pay a year
Middle half: $44,410–$63,930
5,200
Annual openings
10-year change: −5.7%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 189 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Napa, CAMedian pay $64,000 · LCA filings 01,400$64,0000
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $59,690 · LCA filings 01,140$59,6900
Modesto, CAMedian pay $73,690 · LCA filings 01,000$73,6900
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $51,180 · LCA filings 0980$51,1800
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAMedian pay $61,550 · LCA filings 0970$61,5500
Memphis, TN–MS–ARMedian pay $50,470 · LCA filings 0930$50,4700
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $50,150 · LCA filings 0800$50,1500
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $57,700 · LCA filings 0790$57,7000
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $59,080 · LCA filings 0760$59,0800
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INMedian pay $59,220 · LCA filings 0750$59,2200

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Syracuse, NYEmployment 520 · LCA filings 0$82,5305200
Vallejo, CAEmployment 240 · LCA filings 0$82,4402400
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployment 640 · LCA filings 0$80,1406400
Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NCEmployment 530 · LCA filings 0$76,3505300
Modesto, CAEmployment 1,000 · LCA filings 0$73,6901,0000

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Napa, CALevel II $61,214 · Level III $74,090 · Level IV $86,965$48,339$61,214$74,090$86,965
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $54,538 · Level III $63,294 · Level IV $72,072$45,760$54,538$63,294$72,072
Modesto, CALevel II $56,035 · Level III $65,291 · Level IV $74,547$46,779$56,035$65,291$74,547
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $49,171 · Level III $56,867 · Level IV $64,563$41,475$49,171$56,867$64,563
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CALevel II $58,136 · Level III $69,888 · Level IV $81,619$46,405$58,136$69,888$81,619
Memphis, TN–MS–ARLevel II $44,408 · Level III $49,254 · Level IV $54,101$39,562$44,408$49,254$54,101
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $48,048 · Level III $55,016 · Level IV $62,005$41,059$48,048$55,016$62,005
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $49,878 · Level III $56,514 · Level IV $63,149$43,243$49,878$56,514$63,149
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $53,435 · Level III $60,611 · Level IV $67,808$46,238$53,435$60,611$67,808
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INLevel II $53,373 · Level III $58,490 · Level IV $63,586$48,277$53,373$58,490$63,586

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

See Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in every metro area

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology