SOC 514193

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. Excludes "Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders" (51-9124).

National Median

$41,600

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$41,600

Entry Level (10th pct)

$31,940

Experienced (90th pct)

$58,320

Total Employed

31,510

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$31,940 - $36,620
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$36,620 - $48,990
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$48,990 - $58,320

Highest Paying Locations for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Ogden, UT

$66,980

+61.0% vs national

West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area

$66,150

+59.0% vs national

Oklahoma City, OK

$64,420

+54.9% vs national

Oshkosh-Neenah, WI

$58,720

+41.2% vs national

Omaha, NE-IA

$54,460

+30.9% vs national

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Ogden, UT	$66,980	70
West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$66,150	120
Oklahoma City, OK	$64,420	90
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$58,720	50
Omaha, NE-IA	$54,460	50
Jacksonville, FL	$54,060	40
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$52,000	450
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$50,900	210
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$50,890	70
Washington	$50,840	390
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$50,440	580
Oklahoma	$48,800	170
Mississippi	$48,790	100
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$48,440	370
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$47,980	210
Asheville, NC	$47,950	50
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$47,910	490
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$47,730	1,560
South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$47,400	60
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	$47,280	100
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$47,110	230
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$46,820	240
Oregon	$46,780	270
New Hampshire	$46,740	100
Colorado	$46,500	120
Knoxville, TN	$46,460	120
Columbus, OH	$46,460	70
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$46,440	50
Minnesota	$46,430	720
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$46,390	3,050
California	$46,370	5,580
Utah	$46,280	180
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$46,240	570
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$46,130	50
Battle Creek, MI	$46,020	40
New Haven, CT	$45,960	60
Youngstown-Warren, OH	$45,780	100
Kansas City, MO-KS	$45,740	50
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$45,690	60
Kansas nonmetropolitan area	$45,680	90
Massachusetts	$45,530	1,020
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$45,410	80
Richmond, VA	$45,350	50
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$45,250	300
Iowa	$45,240	170
Tennessee	$45,200	1,060
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$45,160	70
Illinois	$44,990	1,880
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$44,730	40
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$44,720	80

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

The national median annual salary for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $41,600, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is Ogden, UT, with a median salary of $66,980.

How much can an experienced Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?

Top-earning Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (90th percentile) make $58,320 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.