Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $43,960 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -9.7% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 2,500
- Self-employed
- 3%
Employment of plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 9.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,095
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,726
- Medicare (1.45%)$637
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$37,502
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,790 | $16.25 | $29,330 |
| 25th percentile | $37,260 | $17.91 | $32,118 |
| Median (50th) | $43,960 | $21.13 | $37,502 |
| 75th percentile | $49,600 | $23.85 | $42,034 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,370 | $29.02 | $50,687 |
Best cities for plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $46,420 | $38,029 | $33,486 | 3,160 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $46,420
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $70,910 | +56.7% | $56,672 | $37,690 – $70,910 | 440 |
| Washington | $58,000 | +14.1% | $48,783 | $46,480 – $79,260 | 410 |
| Mississippi | $52,090 | +6.8% | $42,683 | $43,670 – $57,200 | 60 |
| Arkansas | $51,140 | +38.5% | $41,489 | $29,640 – $73,190 | 230 |
| Oklahoma | $49,330 | +1.1% | $40,142 | $35,580 – $71,120 | 180 |
| Oregon | $48,050 | +2.7% | $37,413 | $39,850 – $61,000 | 310 |
| Nebraska | $48,010 | +22.5% | $39,451 | $37,000 – $63,950 | 400 |
| Colorado | $47,930 | +3.1% | $39,291 | $37,710 – $61,620 | 190 |
| Arizona | $47,110 | +16.2% | $39,064 | $36,830 – $51,060 | 640 |
| Utah | $46,940 | +1.4% | $38,750 | $35,200 – $73,090 | 180 |
| Ohio | $46,790 | +7.0% | $39,271 | $38,240 – $62,090 | 1,810 |
| California | $46,760 | +0.8% | $38,284 | $36,730 – $59,610 | 5,600 |
| Minnesota | $46,730 | +0.6% | $38,046 | $36,400 – $61,410 | 560 |
| Florida | $46,460 | +14.6% | $39,511 | $30,570 – $59,270 | 530 |
| New Hampshire | $46,300 | −0.9% | $39,382 | $43,170 – $58,640 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $46,150 | +1.4% | $37,174 | $35,440 – $57,250 | 860 |
| Maine | $45,720 | +14.2% | $37,012 | $39,550 – $55,550 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,590 | +6.2% | $37,412 | $36,150 – $60,490 | 1,740 |
| New York | $45,510 | +3.2% | $36,887 | $35,180 – $65,220 | 830 |
| South Carolina | $44,560 | +11.1% | $36,467 | $37,960 – $58,380 | 470 |
| Idaho | $44,470 | +7.6% | $36,663 | $36,540 – $51,740 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $44,350 | +12.6% | $36,645 | $29,430 – $63,220 | 940 |
| Missouri | $44,080 | −0.5% | $36,464 | $31,100 – $53,910 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $43,540 | +4.0% | $35,936 | $30,260 – $57,770 | 710 |
| Virginia | $43,380 | +7.7% | $35,356 | $33,230 – $56,780 | 270 |
| Maryland | $42,030 | +4.3% | $34,318 | $34,790 – $63,440 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $40,800 | +1.5% | $34,252 | $32,220 – $51,490 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $39,510 | −12.6% | $33,926 | $29,700 – $51,840 | 1,660 |
| Georgia | $39,160 | +2.2% | $32,235 | $33,670 – $106,010 | 660 |
| Texas | $39,060 | +8.0% | $33,565 | $26,750 – $55,390 | 2,090 |
| Kansas | $38,770 | −11.2% | $31,968 | $33,330 – $57,980 | 360 |
| Indiana | $38,680 | +1.4% | $32,148 | $35,420 – $58,350 | 1,250 |
| Illinois | $38,620 | −14.2% | $31,444 | $34,540 – $51,260 | 2,380 |
| Rhode Island | $38,580 | +2.6% | $32,349 | $37,770 – $61,370 | 450 |
| Michigan | $37,600 | +1.9% | $31,044 | $32,400 – $51,850 | 3,330 |
| Nevada | $37,460 | −1.4% | $32,279 | $36,470 – $45,690 | 60 |
| Connecticut | $37,220 | −2.7% | $31,336 | $34,850 – $58,590 | 620 |
| Kentucky | $34,680 | −10.6% | $28,949 | $26,110 – $68,300 | 630 |
| Louisiana | $34,040 | +7.9% | $28,896 | $28,410 – $52,500 | 100 |
| Alabama | $33,730 | −5.7% | $27,861 | $26,550 – $44,020 | 400 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median salary for plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $43,960 a year ($21.13 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,790 and the top 10% earn over $60,370. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Iowa has the highest median pay at $70,910. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?
About 32,410 people work as plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.