Production
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Anodizer, Anodizing Line Operator, Chrome Plater, Coater Associate
US median pay
$43,960
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-9.7%
declining
Openings a year (US)
2,500
33,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Immerse workpieces in coating solutions or liquid metal or plastic for specified times.
- Adjust dials to regulate flow of current and voltage supplied to terminals to control plating processes.
- Inspect coated or plated areas for defects, such as air bubbles or uneven coverage.
- 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.
- Observe gauges to ensure that machines are operating properly, making adjustments or stopping machines when problems occur.
- Remove objects from solutions at periodic intervals and observe objects to verify conformance to specifications.
- Maintain production records.
- Remove excess materials or impurities from objects, using air hoses or grinding machines.
- Examine completed objects to determine thicknesses of metal deposits, or measure thicknesses by using instruments such as micrometers.
- Rinse coated objects in cleansing liquids and dry them with cloths, centrifugal driers, or by tumbling in sawdust-filled barrels.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.2/5
- Operation and Control3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.6/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing4.2/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Chemistry3.4/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Mechanical3.3/5
- Engineering and Technology3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Less than high school49%
- High school diploma47%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.