Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Plating Machine Operators
Plating Machine Operators 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Plating Machine Operators 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.
- Immerse workpieces in coating solutions or liquid metal or plastic for specified times.
- Adjust dials to regulate the 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Plating Machine Operators test machinery to ensure that it is operating properly. They spray coating in specified patterns according to instructions.
A typical day for a Plating Machine Operators will also include:
- Remove objects from solutions at periodic intervals and observe objects to verify conformance to specifications.
- 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.
- Adjust dials to regulate the flow of current and voltage supplied to terminals to control plating processes.
- Immerse workpieces in coating solutions or liquid metal or plastic for specified times.
- Rinse coated objects in cleansing liquids and dry them with cloths, centrifugal driers, or by tumbling in sawdust-filled barrels.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Plating Machine Operators also cut metal or other materials, using shears or band saws. They may also clean workpieces, using wire brushes.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Plating Machine Operators replace worn parts and adjust equipment components, using hand tools. They might also perform equipment maintenance, such as cleaning tanks and lubricating moving parts of conveyors.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them install gears and holding devices on conveyor equipment.
To some Plating Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to preheat workpieces in ovens.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is declining.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Plating Machine Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $25,530 to $29,040 per year or $12 to $14 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $52,140 | $25 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $42,240 | $20 |
| Median | $34,850 | $17 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $29,040 | $14 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $25,530 | $12 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Plating Machine Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $61050 | $29.35 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $56360 | $27.10 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $46390 | $22.30 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $44040 | $21.17 |
| Foundries | $43910 | $21.11 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $43590 | $20.96 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | $42730 | $20.54 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $41650 | $20.02 |
| Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing | $41330 | $19.87 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | $41110 | $19.76 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Plating Machine Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Plating Machine Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 22390 | $35370 | $17.01 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 2460 | $37400 | $17.98 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 1830 | $36420 | $17.51 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 1350 | $36690 | $17.64 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 1240 | $41650 | $20.02 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 930 | $37750 | $18.15 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 690 | $61050 | $29.35 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 680 | $38100 | $18.32 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 670 | $35890 | $17.26 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 540 | $38610 | $18.56 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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