Job description

Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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. Includes electrolytic processes.

• 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.

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Salary

Plating Machine Operators with little to no experience tend to make between $22980 and $26710 while the more experienced ones can earn over $40330 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Plating and Coating Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic is to move to a higher paying state like WV. Right now, the highest paying states for Plating Machine Operators are WV, GA, MD, CO and MA.

However, a higher pay at WV doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at WV might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Plating and Coating Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

Requirements

We asked other Plating Machine Operators what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had less than a High School Diploma followed by a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Plating and Coating Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic.

What is the job like

61% of Plating Machine Operators said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Is this right for me

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends 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.

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