Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$45,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $43,530
State Rank
#13 of 39
2,450 employed here

How much do Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders make in California?

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders in California take home a median of $45,150 annually — roughly $21.71 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $43,530.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,970 while the top 10% make $58,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,000 and $49,590 a year.

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,970$18.25
25th percentile (early career)$40,000$19.23
50th percentile (median)$45,150$21.71
75th percentile (experienced)$49,590$23.84
90th percentile (top earners)$58,490$28.12

How California compares

California ranks 13th out of 39 states and territories for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maine$64,610
2Wisconsin$54,290
3Oregon$49,130
4North Dakota$48,240
5Pennsylvania$48,000

Working as Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders in California

Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($45,150) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders make in California?
The median Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in California is $45,150 per year, or about $21.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,970 at the entry level to $58,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders about 4% more than the national median of $43,530. California ranks 13th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,150 a year. About 2,450 Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.