Plating Operator
Coat metal parts with chrome, nickel, zinc or other finishes in chemical baths.
- $43,960
- A few months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Industrial Cleaning Operator
Also called: Parts Washer Operator · Pickling Line Operator · Degreaser Operator · Metal Cleaning Operator
What industrial cleaning operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an industrial cleaning operator do?
Cleaning, washing and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, or to remove impurities from metal. The median pay is $43,530 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +3.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$43,530$20.93/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.4%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,700Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs16,200Employment, 2025
What industrial cleaning operators do
Industrial cleaning operators get parts clean enough to paint, plate or assemble. They run parts washers, ultrasonic cleaners, degreasers and acid pickling lines, control chemistry and temperatures, and inspect parts for cleanliness.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Load parts washers
- Run pickling lines
- Control chemistry
- Monitor temperatures
- Inspect cleanliness
- Change solutions
- Record data
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in metal plants with chemical tanks.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Check tank levels.
- Load washer baskets.
- Run the pickling line.
- Test acid strength.
See a full day in the life of an industrial cleaning operator →
Industrial Cleaning Operator salary
Half of industrial cleaning operators earned more than $43,530 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,790 for the lowest 10% to $58,570 for the top 10%.
Full industrial cleaning operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an industrial cleaning operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn the line
- Learn testing
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an industrial cleaning operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Washer operation
- Pickling
- Chemistry testing
- Temperature control
- Inspection
People skills
- Safety focus
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
All industrial cleaning operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Average growth
- Steady work
- Training provided
Cons
- Chemical exposure
- Wet work
- Fumes
- Shift work
Certifications and licenses
- Hazmat training: Required.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Crane training: Helpful.
- Chemical safety training: Employer.
Career path
- Operator: Entry.
- Lead Operator: Lead.
- Process Technician: Process.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Industrial Cleaning Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as do a water break test and check pickling acid strength, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Industrial Cleaning Operator vs. Plating Operator · Industrial Cleaning Operator vs. Industrial Painter · Industrial Cleaning Operator vs. Chemical Technician · Industrial Cleaning Operator vs. Janitor
Industrial Cleaning Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
Is it safe?
With PPE and procedures, yes.
How much does an industrial cleaning operator make?
The median annual wage for industrial cleaning operators was $43,530 ($20.93 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,790 and the highest 10% earned more than $58,570.
How long does it take to become an industrial cleaning operator?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be an industrial cleaning operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More industrial cleaning operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9192 (Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.