Career Overview
Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber, to remove impurities.
Also Known As
- Clean in Places Operator (CIP Operator)
- Sanitation Technician
- Sanitation Worker
- Sanitizer
Alternate Job Titles
- Acid Dipper
- Agitator
- Agricultural Produce Washer
- Air Table Operator
- Ampoule Washing Machine Operator
- Anodizer
- Bag Bleacher
- Barrel Cleaner
- Benzene Washer
- Benzene Washer Operator
- Benzol Operator
- Benzol Still Operator
- Blancher
- Blanching Machine Operator
- Bleach Boiler Filler
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
- Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
- Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.
- Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.
- 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.
- Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs.
- Examine and inspect machines to detect malfunctions.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Production and Processing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Information Ordering
- Perceptual Speed
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Category Flexibility
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Stress Tolerance
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable handwrenches
- Air purifying respirators
- Calibrated measuring rods
- Clean in place CIP systems
- Cleaning scrapers
- Conveyor systems
- Electric pallet jacks
- Eye protection
- Floor scrubbers
- Foamers
- Grease dispensing guns
- Hearing protection plugs
- High speed buffers
- Hydro blasting equipment
- Machine thermometers
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Standing
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Spend Time Walking or Running
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $32,770 |
| Median | $41,460 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $56,590 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 13,890
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,500
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $47,680
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $47,010
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,320
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $33,800
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.