Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend plating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces. Typically, the product being coated is immersed in molten metal or an electrolytic solution.
Also called: Anodizer · Anodizing Line Operator · Chrome Plater · Coater Associate · Coater Operator · Electro Plater
Median pay (national)
$41,600
$31,940–$58,320 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
31,510
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-13.6%
~2,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $58,320 versus $31,940 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $41,600 leaves roughly 40% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -13.6% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 2,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 40 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $50,840, +22% vs the national median), while Louisiana sits lowest at $31,540 — a 61% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Set up, operate, or tend plating or coating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces.
- Remove objects from solutions at periodic intervals and observe objects to verify conformance to specifications.
- Remove excess materials or impurities from objects, using air hoses or grinding machines.
- Rinse coated objects in cleansing liquids and dry them with cloths, centrifugal driers, or by tumbling in sawdust-filled barrels.
- Examine completed objects to determine thicknesses of metal deposits, or measure thicknesses by using instruments such as micrometers.
- Immerse workpieces in coating solutions or liquid metal or plastic for specified times.
- Adjust dials to regulate flow of current and voltage supplied to terminals to control plating processes.
- Inspect coated or plated areas for defects, such as air bubbles or uneven coverage.
- Observe gauges to ensure that machines are operating properly, making adjustments or stopping machines when problems occur.
- Maintain production records.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Hazardous materials management HMS software
- Oracle Advanced Procurement
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Law and Government