Separating Machine Operator: Job Description, Pay & Outlook

What does a separating machine operator do?

Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating and still machine setters, operators and tenders operate equipment to separate and purify materials. The median pay is $51,610 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -5.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$51,610
$24.81/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-5.7%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
5,200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
Months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
61,400
Employment, 2025

What separating machine operators do

Separating machine operators purify products. They run filters, centrifuges, evaporators, distillation stills and extractors in chemical, food, beverage, oil and pharma plants, and monitor quality.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects decline.

Typical duties

Run filters and centrifuges
Run stills
Monitor separation
Change filters
Take samples
Adjust settings
Record data

Work environment and schedule

Operators work in chemical, food and refining plants.

Schedule: Rotating shifts are common.

A day in the life

6:00 AMShift handoff.
6:30 AMCheck the centrifuge.
8:00 AMChange filter cloths.
10:00 AMMonitor the still.

See a full day in the life of a separating machine operator →

Separating Machine Operator salary

Half of separating machine operators earned more than $51,610 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,200 for the lowest 10% to $79,750 for the top 10%.

$36,20010th$51,610Median$79,75090th

Full separating machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a separating machine operator

Finish high school
Get hired at a plant
Learn equipment
Learn troubleshooting
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a separating machine operator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Filtration
Centrifuge operation
Distillation
Sampling
Process monitoring

People skills

Attention to detail
Safety focus
Reliability
Teamwork

All separating machine operator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

No degree needed
Process skills
Plant pay
Steady work

Cons

Declining employment
Chemical exposure
Shift work
Noise

Certifications and licenses

Process tech courses: Helpful.
HAZWOPER: Helpful.
GMP training: Food or pharma.
OSHA 10: Safety.

Career path

Operator: Entry.
Senior Operator: Lead units.
Lead Operator: Lead.
Supervisor: Supervise.

Learn the job before day one

Our Separating Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as know when to change a filter and run a centrifuge safely, safety and how to land your first job.

View Separating Machine Operator training Is this career right for me?

Chemical Equipment Operator

Run equipment that makes chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics.

$58,040
Months on the job

Chemical Plant Operator

Control the reactors and systems that produce chemicals and materials.

$78,120
6–18 months on the job

Refinery Operator

Run the units that turn crude oil into fuels and products.

$96,710
6–18 months on the job

Food Batchmaker

Measure and mix ingredients into large batches for food production.

$42,290
A few months on the job

Compare: Separating Machine Operator vs. Chemical Equipment Operator · Separating Machine Operator vs. Chemical Plant Operator · Separating Machine Operator vs. Refinery Operator · Separating Machine Operator vs. Food Batchmaker

Separating Machine Operator FAQ

Do I need a degree?

No.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects decline.

Where do they work?

Chemical, food, beverage and refining plants.

How much does a separating machine operator make?

The median annual wage for separating machine operators was $51,610 ($24.81 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,200 and the highest 10% earned more than $79,750.

How long does it take to become a separating machine operator?

Most people need about 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 a separating machine 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 separating machine operator questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9012 (Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, 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.

Separating Machine Operator