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Occupation · SOC 51-4193

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

There are 32,410 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $43,960 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
32,410
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$43,960
Median pay a year
Middle half: $37,260–$49,600
2,500
Annual openings
10-year change: −9.7%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 104 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $46,420 · LCA filings 03,160$46,4200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $38,830 · LCA filings 01,870$38,8300
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $37,820 · LCA filings 01,620$37,8200
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $38,880 · LCA filings 0880$38,8800
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MIMedian pay $36,960 · LCA filings 0780$36,9600
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAMedian pay $50,870 · LCA filings 0600$50,8700
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $47,440 · LCA filings 0570$47,4400
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $44,880 · LCA filings 0560$44,8800
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $47,200 · LCA filings 0550$47,2000
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $39,420 · LCA filings 0540$39,4200

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Ogden, UTEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$70,490600
Oklahoma City, OKEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$65,040900
Omaha, NE–IAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$61,880400
Oshkosh–Neenah, WIEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$59,720500
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 210 · LCA filings 0$58,4002100

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $41,933 · Level III $46,571 · Level IV $51,189$37,315$41,933$46,571$51,189
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $39,354 · Level III $42,661 · Level IV $45,947$36,067$39,354$42,661$45,947
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $36,858 · Level III $40,082 · Level IV $43,326$33,613$36,858$40,082$43,326
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $35,318 · Level III $40,331 · Level IV $45,365$30,285$35,318$40,331$45,365
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MILevel II $36,691 · Level III $39,624 · Level IV $42,536$33,779$36,691$39,624$42,536
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $48,110 · Level III $53,248 · Level IV $58,386$42,973$48,110$53,248$58,386
Cleveland, OHLevel II $45,011 · Level III $50,419 · Level IV $55,848$39,582$45,011$50,419$55,848
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $39,291 · Level III $44,054 · Level IV $48,838$34,507$39,291$44,054$48,838
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $42,120 · Level III $46,197 · Level IV $50,253$38,064$42,120$46,197$50,253
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $35,922 · Level III $40,560 · Level IV $45,178$31,304$35,922$40,560$45,178

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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All 104 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology