Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
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.
Also called: Armature Bander, Armature Connector, Armature Winder, Auto-Winder, Coil Builder, Coil Connector
Median pay
$48,220
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,540 – $63,300
People employed
12,840
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 2.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 3.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 4.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers pay by state
Annual median pay by state (37 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What coil winders, tapers, and finishers do
- 01Operate or tend wire-coiling machines to wind wire coils used in electrical components such as resistors and transformers, and in electrical equipment and instruments such as bobbins and generators.
- 02Attach, alter, and trim materials such as wire, insulation, and coils, using hand tools.
- 03Cut, strip, and bend wire leads at ends of coils, using pliers and wire scrapers.
- 04Review work orders and specifications to determine materials needed and types of parts to be processed.
- 05Examine and test wired electrical components such as motors, armatures, and stators, using measuring devices, and record test results.
- 06Select and load materials such as workpieces, objects, and machine parts onto equipment used in coiling processes.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from coil winders, tapers, and finishers
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers87% · −4%
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic85% · +9%
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders84% · −1%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders84% · −3%
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic84% · −3%
Change into coil winders, tapers, and finishers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders80% · $38,670
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic78% · $46,170
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders78% · $50,270
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers78% · $53,750
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers77% · $48,110