Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Virginia
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Virginia earn a median of $59,480 a year ($28.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,820 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $51,610. Virginia ranks 5th of 50 states for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.52 separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,230, 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 Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Median | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| 75th percentile | $78,400 | $37.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,820 | $38.86 |
| Average (mean) | $62,230 | $29.92 |
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 | $4,956.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,478.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,287.69 |
| Weekly | $1,143.85 |
| Hourly | $28.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $76,350 | 530 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $57,900 | 620 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $55,970 | 170 |
| Richmond, VA | $55,960 | 230 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,680 | 110 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $51,520 | 120 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $49,180 | 30 |
| Roanoke, VA | $48,610 | n/a |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $46,430 | 30 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,340 | $18.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,790 | $21.54 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $45,410 | $21.83 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,560 | $21.90 |
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 Virginia?
The median salary for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in Virginia is $59,480 a year, or $28.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Virginia?
The top 10% of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in Virginia earn at least $80,820 a year. The top 25% earn $78,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,460 a year, and a quarter of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $47,940 or less.
How many separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders work in Virginia?
About 2,130 separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.