Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic to decrease by -9.7% between 2024 and 2034, from 33,300 to 30,100 jobs. Its estimate of 2,500 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($43,960), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
33,300
Projected employment (2034)
30,100
Projected change (2024–2034)
-10%
Annual openings (projected average)
2,500
Pay & Preparation
$43,960
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operations Monitoring (3.25/5) • Operation and Control (3.12/5) • Monitoring (3.12/5) • Reading Comprehension (3.12/5) • Active Listening (3.12/5) • Quality Control Analysis (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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