Electroplating Workers

The number of jobs in the electroplating industry is expected to decline by 11 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Although there is expected to be a greater number of electroplated items produced, a growing trend to automate the processes related to electroplating will reduce the number of workers needed. For this reason, employment levels in this field will not grow at rates that match the growth in output of electroplated products. The demand for plastic products has increased and plastics have replaced metals in many consumer goods in recent years. This trend is likely to continue. There is also increasing competition from foreign manufacturers in the metals and plastics industries.

Nonetheless, every year new job openings will occur, both for new positions and to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force altogether. Students who have completed a technical program in electroplating have the best opportunities to find entry-level positions. Workers who can operate a variety of machines and who know the properties of metals and plastics will be better able to adapt to different tasks as more processes are automated.