Industrial Painter
Spray paint and coat products on production lines.
- $48,250
- A few months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Plating Operator
Also called: Electroplater · Anodizing Operator · Plating Line Operator · Metal Finisher
What plating operators 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 plating operator do?
Plating 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. The median pay is $43,960 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -9.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$43,960$21.14/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-9.7%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year2,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs33,300Employment, 2025
What plating operators do
Plating operators give parts protective and decorative finishes. They clean and rack parts, run them through chemical and plating tanks, control current and time, test bath chemistry and inspect coating thickness.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects decline.
Typical duties
- Rack parts
- Clean and prepare surfaces
- Run plating tanks
- Control current and time
- Test bath chemistry
- Inspect finishes
- Handle chemicals safely
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in plating shops with chemical tanks.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Check bath levels.
- Rack parts.
- Run the cleaning line.
- Plate zinc.
See a full day in the life of a plating operator →
Plating Operator salary
Half of plating operators earned more than $43,960 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,790 for the lowest 10% to $60,370 for the top 10%.
Full plating operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a plating operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn the line
- Learn bath testing
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a plating operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Plating processes
- Surface prep
- Bath chemistry
- Rectifier control
- Thickness testing
People skills
- Safety focus
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Patience
All plating operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Chemistry meets manufacturing
- Steady work
- Skills transfer
Cons
- Chemical exposure
- Declining employment
- Wet environment
- Strict environmental rules
Certifications and licenses
- NASF training: National Association for Surface Finishing.
- HAZWOPER: Chemical safety.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Hazmat training: Required.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Plating Operator: Operate.
- Lead Plater: Lead.
- Finishing Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Plating Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as prepare parts for electroplating and titrate a plating bath, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Chemical Technician
Run chemical tests and experiments that support research and production.
- $60,390
- 2 years
Industrial Cleaning Operator
Clean, wash and pickle metal parts before finishing or assembly.
- $43,530
- A few months 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: Plating Operator vs. Industrial Painter · Plating Operator vs. Chemical Technician · Plating Operator vs. Industrial Cleaning Operator · Plating Operator vs. QC Inspector
Plating Operator FAQ
Is plating dangerous?
It involves chemicals; strict safety rules apply.
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline.
How much does a plating operator make?
The median annual wage for plating operators was $43,960 ($21.14 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,790 and the highest 10% earned more than $60,370.
How long does it take to become a plating operator?
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 plating operator?
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.
More plating operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-4193 (Plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (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.