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.
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4193 O*NET: 51-4193.00
Median Salary
$43,960
per year
Job Growth
📉 -13.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$33,790
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,260
25th percentile
Median
$43,960
50th percentile
Experienced
$49,600
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,370
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$33,790
25th
$37,260
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$43,960
Mean: $45,100
75th
$49,600
90th
$60,370
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $26,580 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,260 and $49,600
- •Salary spread is 28.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 32,410 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:31,700
Top Industries
Manufacturing95.5%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing71.7%
Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities62.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-13.6%
Annual Openings:2,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)31,700
Current
2034 (Projected)27,400
-13.6%
-4,300
Employment Change
-13.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 40 locations
California
5,600 jobs$46,7601.48x
Michigan
3,330 jobs$37,6003.63x
Illinois
2,380 jobs$38,6201.87x
Texas
2,090 jobs$39,0600.71x
Ohio
1,810 jobs$46,7901.57x
Pennsylvania
1,740 jobs$45,5901.38x
Tennessee
1,660 jobs$39,5102.43x
Indiana
1,250 jobs$38,6801.88x
Wisconsin
940 jobs$44,3501.54x
Massachusetts
860 jobs$46,1501.13x
New York
830 jobs$45,5100.41x
North Carolina
710 jobs$43,5400.69x
Georgia
660 jobs$39,1600.64x
Arizona
640 jobs$47,1100.95x
Kentucky
630 jobs$34,6801.51x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Production and Processing
100%
#3
Control Precision
100%
#4
Mathematics
94%
#5
Reading Comprehension
94%
#6
Near Vision
92%
#7
Chemistry
86%
#8
Operation and Control
86%
#9
Manual Dexterity
82%
#10
Monitoring
80%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Control Precision
advanced5.0
100%
Mathematics
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Near Vision
advanced4.6
92%
Chemistry
intermediate4.3
86%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.3
86%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Control Precision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Mathematics
advancedImportance94%
knowledge
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Chemistry
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Manual Dexterity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic90%
5 shared skills
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Brickmasons and Blockmasons80%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers80%
5 shared skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Chemistry
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Coordination
- →Engineering and Technology
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Chemistry
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Mathematics
- ★Chemistry
- ★English Language
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (3)
1
Inspect coated or plated areas for defects, such as air bubbles or uneven coverage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Immerse objects to be coated or plated into cleaning solutions, or spray objects with conductive solutions to prepare them for plating.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Immerse workpieces in coating solutions or liquid metal or plastic for specified times.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Position and feed materials into processing machines, by hand or by using automated equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Test machinery to ensure that it is operating properly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Operate hoists to place workpieces onto machine feed carriages or spindles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution82% perform88%
8
Maintain production records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Adjust controls to set temperatures of coating substances and speeds of machines and equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Remove objects from solutions at periodic intervals and observe objects to verify conformance to specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.57
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.25
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.09
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.97
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.89
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.84
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Integrity
3.9
Self-Control
3.8
Independence
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Persistence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
2.3k program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Houston
Houston, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
984 program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
891 program completions/year
SOWELA Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA
870 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
821 program completions/year
Refrigeration School Inc
Phoenix, AZ
781 program completions/year
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
731 program completions/year
River Parishes Community College
Gonzales, LA
695 program completions/year
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
679 program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
601 program completions/year