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 $41,460 per year, ranking in the top 82% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.6% job growth through 2034, 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 $41,460. That puts cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders at #664 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 +3.6%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 14K positions in 2024 to 15K 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.Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs.
4. 4.Examine and inspect machines to detect malfunctions.
5. 5.Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
6. 6.Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.
7. 7.Measure, weigh, or mix cleaning solutions, using measuring tanks, calibrated rods or suction tubes.
8. 8.Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.

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

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