Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders

SOC code 51-9192 · O*NET-SOC 51-9192.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$43,530

a year

Hourly

$20.93

per hour

10th$33,790Median$43,53090th$58,570

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$44,600

$21.44 per hour

Middle 50%

$37,310 – $49,320

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$33,790 – $58,570

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

14,760

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $33,790; $16.25/hr
25th percentile: $37,310; $17.94/hr
Median percentile: $43,530; $20.93/hr
75th percentile: $49,320; $23.71/hr
90th percentile: $58,570; $28.16/hr

What do cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders do?

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.
Draw samples for laboratory analysis, or test solutions for conformance to specifications, such as acidity or specific gravity.
Adjust, clean, and lubricate mechanical parts of machines, using hand tools and grease guns.
Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.
Operate or tend machines to wash and remove impurities from items such as barrels or kegs, glass products, tin plate surfaces, dried fruit, pulp, animal stock, coal, manufactured articles, plastic, or rubber.
Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 60% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)60%
Less than a High School Diploma32%
Some College Courses4%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%

Common questions

How much does a cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders earn?

The national median is $43,530 a year. The full range runs from $33,790 at the 10th percentile to $58,570 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening2.9/5
Speaking2.9/5
Critical Thinking2.9/5
Monitoring2.9/5
Reading Comprehension2.8/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing3.9/5
English Language3.0/5
Public Safety and Security2.8/5
Psychology2.7/5

Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.