Runs the equipment that pulls cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plants to make oils, concentrates, vape cartridges and edible ingredients. BLS does not publish separate figures for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders; it counts them within separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setter, operator, and tender (SOC 51-9012), whose median pay is $51,610 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-9012
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Cannabis Extraction Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $51,610a year, or $24.81/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $80K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.7%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,20061,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202561.4K
- Projected 203557.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 61.4K Projected 2035 57.9K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Extraction Technician, Cannabis Extraction Specialist, Hydrocarbon Extraction Technician, Cannabis Lab Technician, Concentrate Production Technician.
Pay
How much do Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?
Every cannabis extraction technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$51,610
Middle half earn $44,410 to $63,930
- 10th
- $36,200
- 25th
- $44,410
- 75th
- $63,930
- 90th
- $79,750
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $36,200 |
| 25th | $44,410 |
| Median | $51,610 |
| 75th | $63,930 |
| 90th | $79,750 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $51,610
- Median hourly wage
- $24.81/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $56,030
- People employed
- 60,100
Versus all US occupations
At $51,610, the median for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 7% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $79,750 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,200, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 24% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Wyoming pays the most at $108,900, and still leads at $117,487 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Wyoming | $108,900 | $117,487 | 410 |
| 2Nevada | $62,960 | $62,973 | 270 |
| 3New Hampshire | $60,340 | $57,927 | 590 |
| 4Wisconsin | $60,100 | $63,872 | 1,520 |
| 5Virginia | $59,480 | $58,831 | 2,130 |
| 6North Dakota | $59,390 | $66,761 | 270 |
| 7Kentucky | $58,770 | $65,185 | 1,500 |
| 8Louisiana | $58,640 | $66,480 | 770 |
| 9New Jersey | $58,140 | $53,435 | 930 |
| 10Arizona | $57,820 | $57,431 | 970 |
Job outlook
Is Cannabis Extraction Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | −5.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders to change -5.7% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 3,500 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,200 openings are projected each year, 8.5% of the 61,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Cannabis Extraction Technician
Many technicians have a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, while others hold an associate or bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology or chemical technology. Lab experience, mechanical aptitude and comfort with safety procedures are valued. Every cannabis employee must be at least twenty-one and hold the state worker license or badge where required.
State regulators such as California's Department of Cannabis Control and Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division license extraction facilities and set rules on solvents and testing. Many technicians start as trimmers or production assistants and train into extraction.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
The work
What does a Cannabis Extraction Technician do?
Cannabis extraction technicians turn harvested plant material into concentrated products. They operate closed-loop extraction systems using solvents such as butane, propane, ethanol or supercritical carbon dioxide, and they run follow-up steps such as winterization, filtration, solvent recovery and distillation to purify the oil. Some make solventless products such as rosin using heat and pressure.
Because many solvents are flammable and products must pass state lab testing, technicians follow strict standard operating procedures, wear protective equipment and keep detailed batch records. They clean and maintain equipment, track every gram in the state's seed-to-sale tracking system, and work with quality staff to make sure products meet potency and residual solvent limits.
Day-to-day tasks
- Operate closed-loop hydrocarbon, ethanol or carbon dioxide extraction systems
- Purify extracts through winterization, filtration and distillation
- Recover and store solvents safely
- Record batch data and track inventory in seed-to-sale systems
- Clean, maintain and inspect extraction equipment
- Follow safety procedures for flammable solvents
- Prepare samples for state-required lab testing
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Technicians work in licensed manufacturing facilities, often in specially rated extraction rooms with ventilation, gas detection and fire protection. The work involves standing, lifting and wearing protective gear around pressurized equipment and cold or hot processes. Shifts are typically daytime, with some evenings during busy periods.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Writing2.9
- Speaking2.9
- Active Learning2.9
- Learning Strategies2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Speaking | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.8
- Operation and Control3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Equipment Maintenance2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Cannabis Extraction Technician?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RIC) built on O*NET's Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Cannabis Extraction Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.3
- Conventional4.7
- Investigative3.3
- Social1.1
- Enterprising1.1
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Cannabis Extraction Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Production
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$51,610median a year
Most earn $36K to $80K
−5.7%High school - Production
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Most earn $34K to $59K
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$48,990median a year
Most earn $37K to $70K
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$48,040median a year
Most earn $36K to $70K
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- Production
More production careers
Median annual pay, with separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Cannabis Extraction Technician$51,610
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Cannabis Extraction Technician | $51,610 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Cannabis Extraction Technician appears on
Questions
Cannabis Extraction Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders. It counts them within separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setter, operator, and tender, whose median pay is $51,610 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $44,410 and $63,930, and the top 10% earn $79,750 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Cannabis Extraction Technician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Cannabis Extraction Technician a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.7% over 2025–2035, a loss of 3,500 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Cannabis Extraction Technician do?
Cannabis extraction technicians turn harvested plant material into concentrated products. A typical task: operate closed-loop hydrocarbon, ethanol or carbon dioxide extraction systems. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders the most?
The highest state medians for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders are Wyoming ($108,900), Nevada ($62,960), New Hampshire ($60,340) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Cannabis Extraction Technician?
O*NET scores Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.