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Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure

What they do

Wind wire coils used in electrical components, such as resistors and transformers, and in electrical equipment and instruments, such as field cores, bobbins, armature cores, electrical motors, generators, and control equipment.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $48,220 Median per year · $23.18/hr Most earn $37,540–$63,300

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Attach, alter, and trim materials such as wire, insulation, and coils, using hand tools.
  • Examine and test wired electrical components such as motors, armatures, and stators, using measuring devices, and record test results.
  • Select and load materials such as workpieces, objects, and machine parts onto equipment used in coiling processes.
  • Disassemble and assemble motors, and repair and maintain electrical components and machinery parts, using hand tools.
  • Apply solutions or paints to wired electrical components, using hand tools, and bake components.
  • Disassemble and assemble motors, and repair and maintain electrical components and machinery parts, using hand tools.

Job outlook

United States
4% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 1,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Electrical equipment manufacturing37.6%
  • Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing10.1%
  • Machinery manufacturing9.7%
  • Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing7.8%
  • Other electrical equipment and component manufacturing7.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. Most people start with a high school diploma and learn the work on the job, so you don't need college first.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build a strong base in math, shop, and technical classes so you can read blueprints, measure accurately, and follow written instructions.

  2. Coil Winder

    On-the-job training, usually a few months

    Learn to set up and run winding machines, check wire tension and coil counts, and inspect finished parts. Doing this well is what leads to more responsibility.

Where it can lead

  1. Production Lead

    1-3 years of experience first

    You help train new winders, keep the line on schedule, and catch quality problems early. Strong attendance, careful work, and clear communication help you move into this role.

  2. Production Supervisor

    3-5 years of experience first

    You oversee a team and its schedule, safety, and output. Moving up usually takes proven leadership, some training in production or quality methods, and a record of meeting targets.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and physicsAlgebra, geometry, and basic physics help you understand how wire, current, and magnetism work in coils and motors.
  • Join a robotics or engineering clubHands-on building teaches you to use tools, read plans, and fix things when they don't work the first time.
  • Take shop, electronics, or drafting classesThese classes teach you to read technical drawings and work safely with small parts and equipment.
  • Get a part-time job that uses careful handsJobs in a kitchen, warehouse, or retail stockroom teach punctuality, following procedures, and working at a steady pace.
  • Volunteer or help with repairs at homeFixing appliances, small motors, or bikes with a family member builds practical skills and confidence with tools.

In college

  • Take courses in electrical circuits or basic electronicsKnowing how coils, resistors, and transformers work helps you understand what you're winding and why tolerances matter.
  • Work a campus job in a lab or maintenance shopLab and shop jobs give you practice with precision equipment and following technical procedures.
  • Get a summer or part-time job at a manufacturing plantPlant experience shows employers you understand production work, safety rules, and quality checks.
  • Join a technical or manufacturing student clubClubs build teamwork and problem-solving skills, and they help you meet people who work in the field.
  • Look into a short certification in manufacturing or qualityMany community colleges offer short courses in production processes or quality control that can help you move into lead or supervisor roles later.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a shop or electronics manufacturer about entry-level production jobs and tell them you want to learn winding or assembly. Many employers train people on the job.
  • Take any electronics, shop, or drafting classes your school offers. Being comfortable with tools and small parts gives you a head start.
  • Show care and reliability now: arrive on time, follow safety rules, and check your own work. Those habits matter a lot in precision jobs.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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