SOC 51-9012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Arizona
Arizona · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Arizona comes to $57,820 a year, ahead of the national median of $51,610 by 12.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Arizona comes to $57,820 a year, ahead of the national median of $51,610 by 12.0%. Pay ranges from under $37,270 at the tenth percentile to more than $74,810 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $46,900 to $61,870.
Employment stands at 970, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Arizona ranks number 10th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Phoenix records the highest median at $58,970. Of the 712 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 392nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,270 | −27.8% |
| 25th | $46,900 | −9.1% |
| Median (50th) | $57,820 | +12.0% |
| 75th | $61,870 | +19.9% |
| 90th | $74,810 | +45.0% |
| Mean | $56,700 | +9.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Arizona
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix | $58,970 | 740 | |
| 2 | Prescott Valley | $52,790 | 30 | |
| 3 | Tucson | $49,980 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arizona sit close to the national average, so $57,820 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$57,820as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$57,418US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,820 a year, 12.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,270 to $74,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 970 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 10th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Phoenix, at $58,970.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Arizona?
The median annual wage is $57,820, or $27.80 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $51,610, so pay in Arizona is 12.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Arizona earns more than $74,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,270 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Phoenix, at $58,970 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 970 jobs in this occupation in Arizona. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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