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

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

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

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$38,620
Median Annual Salary
▼ -14.2% vs 2024
$41,990
Mean Salary
$38,620
Median Salary
$18.57
Hourly Rate
2,380 people work as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois

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

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 Illinois — 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 Illinois.10thBottom 10% earn less than $34,540$34,54025th25% earn less than $36,830$36,830MedianHalf earn more than $38,620$38,62075th75% earn less than $47,990$47,99090thTop 10% earn more than $51,260$51,260

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois earn a median salary of $38,620 per year ($3,218/month). This is 12.7% below the national average of $44,246. Illinois ranks #33 out of 40 states for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. Approximately 2,380 people work in this occupation across Illinois. Salaries decreased by 14.2% 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 Illinois

Salaries for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois range from $34,540 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $51,260 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $36,830 and $47,990.

Median $38,620
P10: $34,540 P25: $36,830 P75: $47,990 P90: $51,260
10th
$34,540
25th
$36,830
Median
$38,620
75th
$47,990
90th
$51,260
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $34,540 $16.61 $2,878
25th Percentile $36,830 $17.71 $3,069
Median (50th) $38,620 $18.57 $3,218
75th Percentile $47,990 $23.07 $3,999
90th Percentile (Experienced) $51,260 $24.64 $4,271

Note: The mean (average) salary of $41,990 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#33
Illinois ranks #33 of 40 states
$44,246
National avg. for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
-12.7%
vs. national average
Below Average

Similar Jobs That Pay More in Illinois:

What does this salary really buy? See Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Illinois 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 Illinois after taxes →

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

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 Illinois?
The median annual salary for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois is $38,620 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $41,990.
What is the salary range for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois?
Salaries for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois range from $34,540 at the 10th percentile to $51,260 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $36,830 and $47,990.
What is the starting salary for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois?
Entry-level Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions in Illinois typically start around $34,540 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $36,830 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,380 people are employed as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois?
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 Illinois is approximately $18.57 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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