Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders earn a median salary of $43,530 per year, ranking in the top 83% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.4% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

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

The median annual wage for cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders is $43,530. That puts cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders at #684 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders is +3.4%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 16K positions in 2024 to 16K in 2034, a net change of <1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

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

According to O*NET task surveys of working cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Examine and inspect machines to detect malfunctions.
2. 2.Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.
3. 3.Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs.
4. 4.Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
5. 5.Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.
6. 6.Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
7. 7.Measure, weigh, or mix cleaning solutions, using measuring tanks, calibrated rods or suction tubes.
8. 8.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.

Top skills for cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tender?

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
  $43,380 median
• Etchers and Engravers
  $43,310 median
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
  $43,220 median
• Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
  $42,770 median
• Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
  $42,660 median
• Food Batchmakers
  $42,290 median

Common questions parents ask about cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders