Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in California
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in California earn a median of $52,910 a year ($25.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,630 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $51,610. California ranks 19th of 50 states for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders pay. There are 0.78 separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| 25th percentile | $44,970 | $21.62 |
| Median | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| 75th percentile | $71,510 | $34.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,630 | $40.21 |
| Average (mean) | $59,240 | $28.48 |
Half of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,409.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,204.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,035 |
| Weekly | $1,017.50 |
| Hourly | $25.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | $82,440 | 240 |
| Modesto, CA | $73,690 | 1,000 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $66,310 | 220 |
| Napa, CA | $64,000 | 1,400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $62,320 | 730 |
| Merced, CA | $61,920 | 270 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,550 | 970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,300 | 690 |
| Visalia, CA | $58,490 | 300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,910 | 250 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $55,560 | 100 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $54,190 | 340 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $53,940 | 430 |
| Salinas, CA | $52,320 | 150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $52,000 | 350 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $50,900 | 310 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $50,150 | 800 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $48,570 | 150 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,950 | n/a |
| Chico, CA | $47,680 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $47,440 | 460 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $47,240 | 220 |
| El Centro, CA | $44,790 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $108,900 |
| Nevada | $62,960 |
| New Hampshire | $60,340 |
| Wisconsin | $60,100 |
| Virginia | $59,480 |
| North Dakota | $59,390 |
| Kentucky | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,640 |
| New Jersey | $58,140 |
| Arizona | $57,820 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $47,410 | $22.80 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders make in California?
The median salary for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in California is $52,910 a year, or $25.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders make in California?
The top 10% of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in California earn at least $83,630 a year. The top 25% earn $71,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,320 a year, and a quarter of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $44,970 or less.
How many separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders work in California?
About 14,210 separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.