What You Need to Know About Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
Plating and Coating Machine Operator Job Description 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. Includes electrolytic processes.
A Day in the Life of a Plating and Coating Machine Operator
- Mix and test solutions, and turn valves to fill tanks with solutions.
- Examine completed objects to determine thicknesses of metal deposits, or measure thicknesses by using instruments such as micrometers.
- Measure, mark, and mask areas to be excluded from plating.
- Suspend sticks or pieces of plating metal from anodes, or positive terminals, and immerse metal in plating solutions.
- Remove excess materials or impurities from objects, using air hoses or grinding machines.
- 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.
Featured schools near , edit
What a Plating and Coating Machine Operator Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Related Job Titles
- Ceramic Coater
- Anodizer
- Lubricating Machine Tender
- Impregnator
- Printed Circuit Board Panels Plater
Are There Job Opportunities for Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 35,300 jobs in the United States for Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,800 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Plating and Coating Machine Operator are North Dakota, Washington, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Colorado, New Mexico, or Missouri. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Plating and Coating Machine Operator
The salary for Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders ranges between about $22,980 and $50,740 a year.

Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in West Virginia, Maryland, or Georgia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $32,200 |
Arizona | $30,770 |
Arkansas | $32,710 |
California | $35,570 |
Colorado | $40,640 |
Connecticut | $39,060 |
Delaware | $34,430 |
Florida | $33,290 |
Georgia | $45,320 |
Idaho | $33,090 |
Illinois | $32,930 |
Indiana | $34,480 |
Iowa | $35,480 |
Kansas | $32,120 |
Kentucky | $32,820 |
Louisiana | $34,080 |
Maine | $35,500 |
Maryland | $41,210 |
Massachusetts | $40,600 |
Michigan | $32,450 |
Minnesota | $36,880 |
Mississippi | $34,380 |
Missouri | $31,750 |
Nebraska | $36,370 |
Nevada | $29,430 |
New Hampshire | $40,200 |
New Jersey | $36,950 |
New Mexico | $34,360 |
New York | $34,640 |
North Carolina | $33,080 |
Ohio | $34,050 |
Oklahoma | $40,330 |
Oregon | $36,570 |
Pennsylvania | $37,350 |
Rhode Island | $32,410 |
South Carolina | $32,930 |
Tennessee | $33,870 |
Texas | $33,660 |
Utah | $33,990 |
Virginia | $36,600 |
Washington | $38,820 |
West Virginia | $49,220 |
Wisconsin | $32,650 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Outlook
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Hazardous materials management HMS software
- Oracle Advanced Procurement
How do I Become a Plating and Coating Machine Operator?
Are there Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Plating and Coating Machine Operator?

Where Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work

Below are examples of industries where Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Metal and Plastic Plating and Coating Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |