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Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in California

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in California?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$46,760
Median Annual Salary
▲ +0.8% vs 2024
$47,610
Mean Salary
$46,760
Median Salary
$22.48
Hourly Rate
5,600 people work as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by percentile in California

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in California — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California.10thBottom 10% earn less than $36,730$36,73025th25% earn less than $39,390$39,390MedianHalf earn more than $46,760$46,76075th75% earn less than $51,180$51,18090thTop 10% earn more than $59,610$59,610

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California earn a median salary of $46,760 per year ($3,896/month). This is 5.7% above the national average of $44,246. California ranks #12 out of 40 states for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. Approximately 5,600 people work in this occupation across California. Salaries increased by 0.8% compared to 2024.

About This Job: 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.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring
3.25
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Active Listening
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Operation and Control
3.12

Key Knowledge Areas

Production and Processing
4.17
Mathematics
3.5
Chemistry
3.43
English Language
3.39
Mechanical
3.3
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma (49.2% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California

Salaries for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California range from $36,730 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $59,610 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $39,390 and $51,180.

Median $46,760
P10: $36,730 P25: $39,390 P75: $51,180 P90: $59,610
10th
$36,730
25th
$39,390
Median
$46,760
75th
$51,180
90th
$59,610
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $36,730 $17.66 $3,060
25th Percentile $39,390 $18.94 $3,282
Median (50th) $46,760 $22.48 $3,896
75th Percentile $51,180 $24.61 $4,265
90th Percentile (Experienced) $59,610 $28.66 $4,967

Note: The mean (average) salary of $47,610 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#12
California ranks #12 of 40 states
$44,246
National avg. for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
+5.7%
vs. national average
Above Average

What does this salary really buy? See Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in California adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay in California after taxes →

Explore Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Data in California

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State

Compare Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in California?
The median annual salary for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California is $46,760 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $47,610.
What is the salary range for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
Salaries for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California range from $36,730 at the 10th percentile to $59,610 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $39,390 and $51,180.
What is the starting salary for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
Entry-level Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions in California typically start around $36,730 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $39,390 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 5,600 people are employed as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California is approximately $22.48 per hour.

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Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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