Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Coil winders, tapers, and finishers work in a relatively small occupation, with 12,000 jobs nationally. The role typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to people who want to enter the workforce without a lengthy education pathway. This career combines hands-on work with skills such as attention to detail, fine motor abilities, mechanical and scientific understanding, and physical strength and stamina. Critical and analytical thinking, mathematics, creativity and innovation, and interpersonal and leadership skills are also valuable. Nationally, the median annual salary is $47,260, though pay and opportunity can vary by state and metro area. While projected employment growth is negative, there are still about 1,000 annual openings, which may reflect replacement needs as current workers move to other roles or retire. People interested in similar hands-on production careers might also consider related paths such as welding, plating machine operation, structural metal fabrication, food processing work, or furnace and kiln operation.
Nationally, coil winders, tapers, and finishers earn a median annual salary of $47,260. Pay varies across states and metro areas. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, Washington shows the highest listed median salary at $73,920, followed by New York at $52,280 and Colorado at $48,470. Massachusetts and California report median salaries of $44,080 and $42,330, respectively. At the metro level, the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria area lists a median salary of $58,340 and Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington lists $51,400, while New York–Newark–Jersey City and San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara show median pay in the mid‑$40,000s. The Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim metro reports a lower median of $38,180. These differences suggest that earnings potential can vary considerably depending on location, making it important for job seekers to compare local wages to the national median when evaluating offers or considering relocation.
Coil winders, tapers, and finishers represent a relatively small occupation, with national employment of 12,000. Projected employment growth is -6.3%, indicating an expected decline in the total number of jobs over the projection period. Despite this negative growth rate, there are about 1,000 annual openings nationally. These openings may reflect ongoing turnover and replacement needs even as overall employment decreases. The same -6.3% growth projection appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, suggesting a consistent downward trend in employment levels rather than region-specific growth. For individuals considering this path, the combination of shrinking overall employment and continuing annual openings means opportunities may be more about replacing departing workers than expanding workforces. People evaluating long-term stability may want to consider how this projected decline aligns with their career timeline and may also explore related occupations, such as welding, plating, or structural metal fabrication roles, as additional options.
Location plays a significant role in the opportunity profile for coil winders, tapers, and finishers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York have the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, at 67.38, 65.87, and 65.78 respectively. New York combines a relatively high median salary of $52,280 with employment of 850, while California offers a median of $42,330 with 440 jobs. Washington stands out for pay, with a median salary of $73,920, though employment is smaller at 60. Colorado and Massachusetts also provide mid‑$40,000 to high‑$40,000 median salaries but with relatively low employment counts. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara and New York–Newark–Jersey City have the highest opportunity scores (both above 77), despite mid‑$40,000 median salaries and modest employment levels. The Washington–Arlington–Alexandria metro shows higher pay at $58,340. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim offers a lower median salary of $38,180 but has 230 jobs, while Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington balances a median of $51,400 with 60 positions.
The typical education requirement for coil winders, tapers, and finishers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who want to begin earning relatively quickly without pursuing a postsecondary degree. Success in this role relies heavily on a specific mix of skills rather than advanced formal education. Important skills include being detail oriented and having strong fine motor abilities, which support precise, hands-on work. Mechanical and science skills contribute to understanding the equipment and processes involved, while mathematics supports measurement, calculation, and accuracy. Physical strength and stamina are also important, reflecting the physical nature of the work environment. In addition, leadership and interpersonal skills can be valuable for coordinating with coworkers or guiding small teams, and creativity, innovation, and critical and analytical thinking can help with problem-solving and process improvements. Together, these skills shape a profile that combines practical, physical, and cognitive strengths anchored by a high school–level educational foundation.
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