Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

General Information

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.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Manufacturing

Job Outlook

Overall employment of metal and plastic machine workers is projected to decline 5 percent from 2021 to 2031. Despite decliningemployment, about 101,700 openings for metal and plastic machine workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$37,200

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$57,350
$22,150
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Less than high school 49%
  • High school 46%
  • Bachelor's degree 3%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing
  • Education and Training
  • Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Administration and Management

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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