Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC code 51-4193 · O*NET-SOC 51-4193.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$43,960
a year
Hourly
$21.14
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$45,100
$21.69 per hour
Middle 50%
$37,260 – $49,600
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$33,790 – $60,370
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
32,410
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $33,790
- $16.25/hr
- 25th percentile
- $37,260
- $17.91/hr
- Median percentile
- $43,960
- $21.14/hr
- 75th percentile
- $49,600
- $23.85/hr
- 90th percentile
- $60,370
- $29.02/hr
What do plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 49% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Less than a High School Diploma49%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)47%
- Bachelor's Degree3%
- Some College Courses1%
Common questions
How much does a plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?
The national median is $43,960 a year. The full range runs from $33,790 at the 10th percentile to $60,370 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing4.2/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Chemistry3.4/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Mechanical3.3/5
- Engineering and Technology3.3/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- Law and Government3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Coordination, Quality Control Analysis, Time Management.