Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC Code: 51-4193 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden, UT | $49,317 | $55,640 | $61,963 | $68,286 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $43,181 | $51,355 | $59,530 | $67,704 |
| Lawton, OK | $41,309 | $50,024 | $58,760 | $67,475 |
| Enid, OK | $41,829 | $50,357 | $58,906 | $67,434 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $40,602 | $49,338 | $58,094 | $66,830 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $47,091 | $53,622 | $60,174 | $66,706 |
| Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $37,939 | $47,403 | $56,867 | $66,331 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $41,870 | $49,816 | $57,762 | $65,707 |
| Kingston, NY | $42,806 | $49,400 | $55,973 | $62,566 |
| Greenville, NC | $36,754 | $45,344 | $53,914 | $62,504 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.2 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Active Listening | 3.1 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Production and Processing | 4.2 |
| Mathematics | 3.5 |
| Chemistry | 3.4 |
| English Language | 3.4 |
| Mechanical | 3.3 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.3 |
| Education and Training | 3.2 |
| Law and Government | 3.1 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school | 49.2% |
| High school diploma | 46.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 3.4% |
Typical Tasks
- Inspect coated or plated areas for defects, such as air bubbles or uneven coverage.
- Immerse workpieces in coating solutions or liquid metal or plastic for specified times.
- 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.
- Remove objects from solutions at periodic intervals and observe objects to verify conformance to specifications.
- Observe gauges to ensure that machines are operating properly, making adjustments or stopping machines when problems occur.
- Adjust dials to regulate flow of current and voltage supplied to terminals to control plating processes.
- Rinse coated objects in cleansing liquids and dry them with cloths, centrifugal driers, or by tumbling in sawdust-filled barrels.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Autodesk AutoCAD Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Computer aided design CAD software Hazardous materials management HMS software Oracle Advanced Procurement
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