Electronics Assembler
Assemble circuit boards, wire harnesses and electronic devices.
- $45,850
- A few months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Coil Winder
Also called: Coil Taper · Coil Finisher · Transformer Winder · Winding Machine Operator
What coil winders do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a coil winder do?
Coil winders, tapers and finishers wind wire coils used in electrical components such as resistors, transformers and motors. The median pay is $48,220 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -4.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$48,220$23.18/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-4.0%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year1,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs12,900Employment, 2025
What coil winders do
Coil winders make the coils inside electrical equipment. They set up winding machines, wind copper wire to exact turn counts, tape and insulate coils, solder leads, and test coils for resistance and insulation.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects a decline.
Typical duties
- Set up winding machines
- Wind coils
- Count turns
- Tape and insulate
- Solder leads
- Test resistance
- Inspect coils
Work environment and schedule
Coil winders work in electrical equipment factories.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Review the work order.
- Set up the winding machine.
- Wind transformer coils.
- Tape and insulate.
See a full day in the life of a coil winder →
Coil Winder salary
Half of coil winders earned more than $48,220 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,540 for the lowest 10% to $63,300 for the top 10%.
Full coil winder pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a coil winder
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn winding
- Learn testing
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a coil winder →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Winding machines
- Turn counting
- Taping
- Soldering
- Electrical testing
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Patience
- Focus
- Reliability
All coil winder skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Precise work
- Steady pace
- Indoor work
Cons
- Declining employment
- Repetitive
- Eye strain
- Modest pay
Certifications and licenses
- Soldering certification: IPC.
- Electrical basics course: Helpful.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Quality training: Employer.
Career path
- Coil Winder: Entry.
- Senior Winder: Complex coils.
- Tester or Lead: Lead.
- Production Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Coil Winder training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as wind a coil to spec and test a finished coil, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Electric Motor Repairer
Test, rewind and rebuild electric motors, generators and power tools.
- $56,210
- Several months to a year
Production Assembler
Put together products and components on factory lines, following precise instructions.
- $44,650
- 1 day to 1 month on the job
Quality Control Inspector
Measure, test and inspect products to make sure they meet specifications.
- $48,570
- 3–12 months on the job
Compare: Coil Winder vs. Electronics Assembler · Coil Winder vs. Electric Motor Repairer · Coil Winder vs. Production Assembler · Coil Winder vs. QC Inspector
Coil Winder FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline.
Is it precise work?
Yes, turn counts must be exact.
How much does a coil winder make?
The median annual wage for coil winders was $48,220 ($23.18 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,540 and the highest 10% earned more than $63,300.
How long does it take to become a coil winder?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a coil winder?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-2021 (Coil winders, tapers, and finishers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Coil winders, tapers, and finishers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.