Prevailing Wage for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Prevailing wage for Clean in Places Operator roles is set by the DOL under SOC 51-9192, covering positions such as Anodizer, Clean in Places Operator (CIP Operator), and Parts Cleaner. DOL establishes four experience levels, each carrying a different wage floor, and the required minimum shifts considerably depending on which U.S. city the worksite sits in.
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Entry-level CIP Operators with limited hands-on experience, typically performing routine cleaning or washing tasks under close supervision. Workers at this level are still developing familiarity with equipment settings, chemical handling protocols, and production line requirements.
The most common filing level for this occupation. Qualified operators who work independently on standard cleaning and washing cycles, apply established procedures with minimal supervision, and bring one to three years of relevant equipment experience.
Experienced operators who troubleshoot equipment faults, adapt processes to different product types or materials, and may informally guide newer team members. Employers typically require several years of demonstrated hands-on experience at this level.
Fully competent senior operators or leads with comprehensive expertise across cleaning, pickling, or anodizing processes. These professionals exercise independent judgment on complex tasks, set standards for the work area, and may carry formal supervisory or training responsibilities.
Prevailing Wage for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Confirm which equipment type drives your level
CIP Operators and Anodizers are often filed at different wage levels even within the same facility. Roles involving metal pickling or anodizing baths typically justify Level 3 filings, while general parts washing positions are more commonly filed at Level 1 or Level 2.
Watch Milwaukee and Reading wage floors closely
These metros pay significantly above the national median for this occupation. If your offer is in Milwaukee or Reading and sits near the national floor rather than the local floor, your employer may have filed the LCA against the wrong wage area.
Avoid title aliasing that misses this SOC
Sanitation Technician and Sanitation Worker titles sometimes get filed under facility services or food production SOC codes instead of 51-9192. If your offer letter uses one of these titles, verify that the LCA cites SOC 51-9192 and not a lower-paying classification.
Find employers with CIP Operator sponsorship history on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored workers in this occupation. Filtering by role and visa type narrows your search to companies that have actually filed for CIP Operators or related titles before, reducing time spent on employers unlikely to sponsor.
Jobs for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Clean in Places OperatorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-9192.00 alongside Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Anodizer Prevailing Wage
Anodizer Prevailing Wage
Anodizer positions fall under SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Clean in Places Operator (CIP Operator) Prevailing Wage
Clean in Places Operator (CIP Operator) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Clean in Places Operator (CIP Operator) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Filler Operator Prevailing Wage
Filler Operator Prevailing Wage
Filler Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Parts Cleaner Prevailing Wage
Parts Cleaner Prevailing Wage
Parts Cleaner positions fall under SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Sanitation Technician Prevailing Wage
Sanitation Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Sanitation Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sanitation Worker Prevailing Wage
Sanitation Worker Prevailing Wage
Sanitation Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Sanitizer Prevailing Wage
Sanitizer Prevailing Wage
Sanitizer positions fall under SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Tub Wash Operator Prevailing Wage
Tub Wash Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Tub Wash Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Tub Washer Prevailing Wage
Tub Washer Prevailing Wage
Tub Washer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Wash Crew Person Prevailing Wage
Wash Crew Person Prevailing Wage
Wash Crew Person positions fall under SOC 51-9192.00 (Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Clean in Places Operator positions?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of geographic areas. For SOC 51-9192, OFLC assigns one of four wage levels to each job based on the employer's stated experience requirements, supervision level, and complexity of duties. Employers must pay at least the level the DOL certifies on the Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry positions with close supervision and limited experience. Level 2, the most common filing level for this occupation, reflects qualified independent work. Level 3 applies to experienced operators who troubleshoot and may guide others. Level 4 covers senior or lead roles with broad authority. Review the job duties and supervision structure described in your offer letter and compare them against DOL's published level definitions to identify where your position should fall.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same CIP Operator role vary so much from city to city?
OFLC bases its wage floors on regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which capture actual wages paid in each metropolitan area. Labor costs, cost of living, and local industry concentration all influence survey results. Crucially, the wage that applies is the one for the worksite location listed on the LCA, not the employer's headquarters. A role in Milwaukee carries a meaningfully higher floor than the same role in Miami or San Juan.
What happens if my job offer falls below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify an LCA for a wage below the applicable prevailing wage level. If the offer is below the floor, OFLC will not certify the LCA, which blocks H-1B and other visa petition filings. For green card PERM cases, DOL audits can uncover underpayment and deny certification. The employer must either raise the offered wage to meet the floor or refile at the correct wage level before any petition can proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Clean in Places Operator position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 51-9192 for any covered metropolitan area. Select the appropriate wage level based on the job's duties and supervision requirements, and confirm the wage area matches your actual worksite address. You can also cross-reference with the O*NET occupation profile for role classification details. Migrate Mate lets you filter sponsored job listings by location and role so you can identify which employers have sponsored this occupation in your target city.
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