Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Reading, PA
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $53,890 a year ($25.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,730 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $51,610. Pay here is 11% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,390. There are 0.75 separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,910, close to the median.
Pay range for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| 25th percentile | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Median | $53,890 | $25.91 |
| 75th percentile | $55,240 | $26.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,730 | $28.72 |
| Average (mean) | $51,910 | $24.96 |
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 | $4,490.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,245.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,072.69 |
| Weekly | $1,036.35 |
| Hourly | $25.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $59,610 | 230 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $52,300 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $51,030 | 680 |
| Altoona, PA | $49,350 | 30 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,590 | 330 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $48,390 | 110 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $46,900 | 120 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $46,380 | 100 |
| Lancaster, PA | $45,190 | 120 |
| Erie, PA | $35,530 | 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 |
See Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,260 | $26.57 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,150 | $25.07 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,130 | $25.06 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $54,530 | $26.21 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $54,890 | $26.39 |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,920 | $22.08 |
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Reading, PA metro area is $53,890 a year, or $25.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $59,730 a year. The top 25% earn $55,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,560 a year, and a quarter of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $50,040 or less.
How many separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders work in Reading, PA?
About 130 separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.