SOC 51-9012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Detroit
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI · 7 metro areas compared
At $48,630, median pay for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Detroit, MI tracks the national median of $51,610 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $48,630, median pay for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Detroit, MI tracks the national median of $51,610 closely. Pay ranges from under $38,140 at the tenth percentile to more than $70,470 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $39,840 to $58,040.
Employment stands at 570, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Lansing records the highest median at $56,490. Of the 671 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 448th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,140 | −26.1% |
| 25th | $39,840 | −22.8% |
| Median (50th) | $48,630 | −5.8% |
| 75th | $58,040 | +12.5% |
| 90th | $70,470 | +36.5% |
| Mean | $50,340 | −2.5% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing | $56,490 | 120 | |
| 2 | Kalamazoo | $51,600 | 100 | |
| 3 | Grand Rapids | $49,830 | 430 | |
| 4 | Ann Arbor | $49,070 | 40 | |
| 5 | Niles | $48,250 | 50 | |
| 6 | Traverse City | $46,870 | 120 | |
| 7 | Jackson | $46,380 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Detroit run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $48,630 goes as far as $50,551 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,630as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,551US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,630 a year, 5.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,140 to $70,470 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 570 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lansing, at $56,490.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Detroit, MI?
The median annual wage is $48,630, or $23.38 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 Detroit, MI is 5.8% lower. 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 Detroit, MI earns more than $70,470 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,140 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 Lansing, at $56,490 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 570 jobs in this occupation in Detroit, MI. 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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