Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Machines can already do 25% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 66%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 25% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 66% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 14,760 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $43,530 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 47% for contact with people.
- Also called: Anodizer, Clean in Places Operator (CIP Operator), Filler Operator, Parts Cleaner.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 24% | 20% to 60% | |
| Load machines with objects to be processed and unload them after cleaning, placing them on conveyors or racks | 22% | 20% to 60% | |
| Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions | 19% | 30% to 75% | |
| Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations | 5% | 30% to 75% | |
| Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs | 4% | 70% to 95% | |
| Examine and inspect machines to detect malfunctions | 4% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,170
- Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,730
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders62% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,650
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,060
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders?
Machines can do 25% of the tasks of cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders today and 66% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-9192.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/cleaning-washing-and-metal-pickling-equipment-operators-and-tenders/