Prevailing Wage for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Prevailing wage requirements for Anodizing Line Operator roles are set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected at the metro level. Whether you're filing as an Anodizer, a Chrome Plater, or in a coater role, DOL assigns four experience-based wage levels, and the floor varies significantly from city to city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers with limited experience in plating or coating operations. Employees at this stage follow established procedures under close supervision, perform routine tasks, and have not yet developed independent judgment on process variables like bath chemistry or coating thickness.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation. Workers here have practical experience setting up and operating plating equipment with moderate supervision, can troubleshoot standard process issues, and perform the full range of production duties without constant direction.
Level 3 applies to experienced operators who work independently across multiple plating processes, apply advanced knowledge of electrolytic chemistry and surface preparation, and may informally guide junior operators. These workers handle complex coating requirements and non-routine production decisions.
Level 4 covers fully competent senior workers or lead operators who set quality and process standards, train others, and may oversee an entire plating line. Employers filing at this level are sponsoring workers with comprehensive mastery of the occupation and recognized expertise.
Prevailing Wage for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Anodizing Line Operator and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for title misfiling under the wrong SOC
Employers sometimes file LCAs for plating and anodizing roles under broader production or assembler SOC codes, which carry a different prevailing wage floor. Confirm your offer letter job title maps directly to SOC 51-4193 before accepting.
Factor in Ogden and Oklahoma City wage premiums
Both metros post prevailing wages well above the national median for this occupation across all four levels. If you have offers in multiple locations, the Ogden and Oklahoma City figures represent a meaningful comp advantage relative to lower-paying metros like Lexington or Birmingham.
Exclude shift differentials and production bonuses from the floor calculation
DOL requires that the prevailing wage be met through base hourly pay. Shift premiums, productivity bonuses, and safety incentives common in plating facilities do not count toward satisfying the wage floor on the LCA.
Use Migrate Mate to identify employers with plating sponsorship history
Plating and anodizing roles are concentrated in manufacturing-heavy metros where H-1B sponsorship is less common than in tech. Migrate Mate shows which employers have sponsored workers in this occupation before, narrowing your search to realistic targets.
Jobs for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Anodizing Line OperatorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-4193.00 alongside Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Anodizer Prevailing Wage
Anodizer Prevailing Wage
Anodizer positions fall under SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Anodizing Line Operator Prevailing Wage
Anodizing Line Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Anodizing Line Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Chrome Plater Prevailing Wage
Chrome Plater Prevailing Wage
Chrome Plater is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Coater Associate Prevailing Wage
Coater Associate Prevailing Wage
Coater Associate positions fall under SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Coater Operator Prevailing Wage
Coater Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Coater Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Electro Plater Prevailing Wage
Electro Plater Prevailing Wage
Electro Plater is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Galvanizer Prevailing Wage
Galvanizer Prevailing Wage
Galvanizer positions fall under SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Line Operator Prevailing Wage
Line Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Line Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Plater Prevailing Wage
Plater Prevailing Wage
Plater positions fall under SOC 51-4193.00 (Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for an Anodizing Line Operator?
DOL derives prevailing wages for this occupation from Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Survey data is collected from employers across metro areas and aggregated into four wage levels. OFLC then publishes these figures, which employers must use when filing an LCA for a sponsored position.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify which one applies to my offer?
The four levels reflect increasing experience and independence. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 is qualified with moderate supervision; Level 3 is experienced with independent judgment; Level 4 is fully competent or lead scope. Your level is determined by the actual duties, supervision received, and complexity described in the job description, not your job title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Anodizer role differ so much between cities?
DOL sets wages using regional OES survey data, so the floor reflects local labor market conditions. Metros with higher concentrations of manufacturing employers, stronger union presence, or tighter labor supply produce higher survey medians. The LCA must list the actual worksite location, so the wage floor is tied to where you physically work, not where the employer is headquartered.
What happens if a job offer for a sponsored position is below the prevailing wage?
An employer cannot certify a compliant LCA if the offered wage is below the DOL prevailing wage for the worksite location and experience level. USCIS will not approve the underlying visa petition without a certified LCA. If the offer is below the floor, the employer must raise the wage before filing, or the sponsorship cannot proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific city for this occupation?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool on the DOL website, enter SOC code 51-4193, select the applicable metro area, and choose the wage level matching your role scope. You can also review the O*NET occupation profile for context on typical duties and experience requirements that correspond to each level.
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