Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators out-earn Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic by $690 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic land at $43,960 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is Iowa ($70,910); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators earn more nationally. The median is $43,960 for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $690. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators has the better 10-year outlook at -0.1% projected growth, compared to -13.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic get paid the most?
Iowa is the top-paying state for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic at $70,910/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Iowa, Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn $70,910 vs. $48,920 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.