CDCareer Decision

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in TN

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in TN have a median annual salary of $39,510, with 1,660 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $29,700 at the 10th percentile to $51,840 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$39,510

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$18.99

Employment

1,660

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$29,700
10th
$36,410
25th
$39,510
Median
$47,630
75th
$51,840
90th

Local compared with national

TN

$39,510

Median annual · 2025

United States

$43,960

Median annual · 2025

The TN median is 10.1% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $4,450).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.3
  2. 2.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  3. 3.Active ListeningImportance 3.1
  4. 4.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Operation and ControlImportance 3.1
  6. 6.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 2.9
  12. 12.WritingImportance 2.8

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Less than a High School Diploma
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Hazardous materials management HMS software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Advanced Procurement

Common tasks

  • Test machinery to ensure that it is operating properly.
  • 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.
  • Remove excess materials or impurities from objects, using air hoses or grinding machines.
  • Examine completed objects to determine thicknesses of metal deposits, or measure thicknesses by using instruments such as micrometers.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other locations

Other occupations in TN