Occupation · SOC 51-4193
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.
Median wage
$41,600
$31,940–$58,320
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
31,510
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringMonitoringOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingCoordination
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMathematicsChemistryEnglish LanguageMechanical
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareCompliance softwareSpreadsheet softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
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.Maintain production records.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.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.Determine sizes and compositions of objects to be plated, and amounts of electrical current and time required.Test machinery to ensure that it is operating properly.Measure or weigh materials, using rulers, calculators, and scales.Measure, mark, and mask areas to be excluded from plating.Immerse objects to be coated or plated into cleaning solutions, or spray objects with conductive solutions to prepare them for plating.Read production schedules to determine setups of equipment and machines.Suspend objects, such as parts or molds from cathode rods, or negative terminals, and immerse objects in plating solutions.Suspend sticks or pieces of plating metal from anodes, or positive terminals, and immerse metal in plating solutions.Adjust controls to set temperatures of coating substances and speeds of machines and equipment.Monitor and measure thicknesses of electroplating on component parts to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers.Operate hoists to place workpieces onto machine feed carriages or spindles.Position and feed materials into processing machines, by hand or by using automated equipment.Position objects to be plated in frames, or suspend them from positive or negative terminals of power supplies.Operate sandblasting equipment to roughen and clean surfaces of workpieces.Clean and maintain equipment, using water hoses and scrapers.Clean workpieces, using wire brushes.Mix and test solutions, and turn valves to fill tanks with solutions.Replace worn parts and adjust equipment components, using hand tools.Place plated or coated materials on racks and transfer them to ovens to dry for specified periods of time.Measure and set stops, rolls, brushes, and guides on automatic feeders and conveying equipment or coating machines, using micrometers, rules, and hand tools.Position containers to receive parts, and load or unload materials in containers, using dollies or handtrucks.Perform equipment maintenance, such as cleaning tanks and lubricating moving parts of conveyors.Preheat workpieces in ovens.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Workpieces and coating solutions — immerse under direct supervision following step-by-step written procedures on the production floor.Dial settings and current controls — adjust with guidance from a trainer to maintain basic voltage levels during a plating cycle.Coated surfaces and plated areas — inspect visually for obvious defects such as air bubbles or uneven coverage under close supervisor review.Plating machine controls — set up and operate basic functions following standard operating procedures in a supervised production environment.Machine gauges and indicator readings — observe and report abnormal readings to a supervisor during routine production runs.Workpieces removed from solution — observe at timed intervals and flag nonconforming pieces for senior review against basic specifications.Production records and shift logs — maintain accurate entries using paper-based or simple digital forms under trainer direction.Excess material and surface impurities — remove from workpieces using air hoses under direct instruction in a metal finishing shop.Safety protocols and chemical handling rules — follow precisely when working with plating baths and coating solutions in a regulated facility.Hand tools and basic measuring instruments — identify and use correctly to support setup tasks under supervision on the production line.
developing
Workpieces and coating solutions — immerse independently for specified times, referencing process sheets without constant supervisor oversight on a production shift.Current flow and voltage dials — adjust routinely to maintain plating parameters within acceptable ranges during standard production runs.Plated surfaces and coated components — inspect systematically for defects including uneven coverage and adhesion failures using established quality criteria.Plating and coating machines — set up and operate across multiple product types, adapting settings to familiar material and solution changes.Gauge readings and machine performance indicators — monitor continuously and make minor adjustments or stop machines when out-of-range conditions arise.Workpieces at periodic intervals — remove from solution, measure coating thickness, and verify conformance to specifications using standard inspection tools.Production records and batch documentation — maintain accurately in spreadsheet or compliance software to support traceability on the shop floor.Grinding machines and air hoses — operate to remove impurities and excess material efficiently while meeting surface preparation standards.Chemical concentrations and bath conditions — monitor and report deviations to process technicians, applying basic chemistry knowledge to recognize abnormal trends.Work schedules and task sequencing — coordinate across multiple machine stations to meet daily production targets with minimal supervision.
proficient
Complex plating setups for chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, and nickel coatings — configure and operate autonomously across a full range of metal and plastic workpieces in a high-volume facility.Current, voltage, and immersion parameters — analyze and fine-tune independently to resolve non-routine coating failures and restore conforming output.Defect patterns such as pitting, blistering, and uneven deposition — diagnose root causes and implement corrective actions without supervisor direction.Full machine operation cycle from setup to shutdown — manage end-to-end, troubleshooting mechanical or process issues as they arise on the production floor.Gauges, process controllers, and monitoring systems — interpret across multiple plating lines simultaneously and act decisively when anomalies threaten product quality.Coating thickness and adhesion specifications — verify against engineering drawings and customer requirements, accepting or rejecting parts per documented quality standards.Production records, compliance reports, and quality logs — compile and review for accuracy, identifying trends that signal process drift in plating operations.Surface preparation equipment and finishing tools — select and apply appropriately to diverse substrate materials, ensuring surfaces meet pre-plate cleanliness standards.Chemical bath composition and solution chemistry — evaluate and recommend replenishment or corrective additions to maintain optimal plating solution performance.CAD drawings and technical work orders — read and interpret to configure machines correctly for custom or precision plating jobs in a regulated production environment.
advanced
Plating process standards and best-practice procedures — develop and document for the department, setting the technical baseline for all operators in the facility.New plating machine installations and process changeovers — lead end-to-end, coordinating maintenance, engineering, and production staff to minimize downtime.Defect reduction and yield improvement initiatives — drive using quality control analysis and statistical data across multiple coating lines in a metal finishing operation.Operator training programs and on-the-job instruction — design and deliver to build competency in machine setup, chemical handling, and inspection across the workforce.Production schedules and resource allocation — oversee across shifts, balancing throughput targets with quality requirements and regulatory compliance obligations.Regulatory compliance requirements for chemical use, waste treatment, and worker safety — interpret and ensure facility-wide adherence through policy, training, and audits.Procurement decisions for chemicals, tooling, and replacement parts — guide using technical expertise and cost analysis to support efficient and compliant operations.Cross-functional relationships with engineering, quality, and customer service teams — lead to resolve escalated plating quality disputes and fulfill custom coating requirements.Key performance indicators for coating quality, machine uptime, and material yield — establish, track in spreadsheet and compliance systems, and report to plant management.Continuous improvement projects targeting coating efficiency and environmental impact — champion and implement, applying production processing knowledge and industry best practices.
Also known as
153 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Vacuum Applicator OperatorMetal and Plastic Nonelectrolytic Plating and Coating Machine SetterAnodize Machine OperatorPlating Equipment TenderMetalizerGettering-Filament-Machine OperatorSpray-Machine TenderMatrix Bath AttendantHot Dip PlaterGettering Filament Machine OperatorLacquer Dipping Machine OperatorPrimer Waterproofing Machine OperatorElectroplating WorkerWelding-Rod CoaterLubricating-Machine TenderBlack Oxide Coating Equipment TenderPlating OperatorFlow Solder OperatorUnrackerAircraft Structural Maintenance Helper (Air Force 2A713)Tube CoaterMetal Coater OperatorCoating-Machine OperatorPasting-Machine OperatorAircraft Structural Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force 2A753)Zinc PlaterElectrogalvanizing-Machine OperatorSilver Spray WorkerImpregnation OperatorCoaterAircraft Structural Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force 2A733)Metal and Plastic Nonelectrolytic Plating and Coating Machine Set-Up OperatorOxidized Finish PlaterRackerChrome PlaterAnodizerPlater ApprenticeHard Chrome PlaterAutomatic Metal Spraying Machine OperatorPlate Former