Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Career, Salary and Skills
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $43,960 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 32,410. Wage data is published for 144 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
51-4193.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
Less than a High School Diploma
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$43,960
Hourly median
$21.14
Employment
32,410
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Operation and Control | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Time Management | 3.00 | 2.75 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- 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.
- Observe gauges to ensure that machines are operating properly, making adjustments or stopping machines when problems occur.
- Remove objects from solutions at periodic intervals and observe objects to verify conformance to specifications.
- Maintain production records.
- Test machinery to ensure that it is operating properly.
Technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Hazardous materials management HMS software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Advanced Procurement
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in CAMedian $46,760 · Employment 5,600
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in MIMedian $37,600 · Employment 3,330
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $46,420 · Employment 3,160
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in ILMedian $38,620 · Employment 2,380
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in TXMedian $39,060 · Employment 2,090
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $38,830 · Employment 1,870
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in OHMedian $46,790 · Employment 1,810
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in PAMedian $45,590 · Employment 1,740
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in TNMedian $39,510 · Employment 1,660
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Detroit, MIMedian $37,820 · Employment 1,620
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in INMedian $38,680 · Employment 1,250
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in WIMedian $44,350 · Employment 940
Related careers
- Pourers and Casters, MetalNational median $51,810
- Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersNational median $58,040
- Machine Feeders and OffbearersNational median $41,220
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $46,330
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $49,030
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $50,140
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $46,550
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and SharpenersNational median $50,060
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.