Iron and steel materials have been extensively used in various industrial fields. However, iron and steel materials are prone to fail due to their poor surface corrosion resistance. Cadmium (Cd) can readily form a dense protective oxide film when being exposed to air. Therefore, cadmium electroplating has become one of the effective ways to improve the corrosion resistance of iron and steel materials. This review began with the specific applications of cadmium electroplating technology. The application status of cadmium electroplating techniques was introduced. One was conventional Cd electroplating technique for protecting iron and steel surface, and the other was brush Cd electroplating for repairing surface. Cd electroplating coating acting as an anodic protective coating can realize surface protection of iron and steel. When titanium (Ti) salts were added into the cadmium electrolyte, the formed Cd-Ti electroplating coating showed better corrosion resistance and lower hydrogen embrittlement than that of pure Cd electroplating coating. As a kind of special electroplating technology, brush Cd electroplating can be widely used in repairing electroplating and surface repairing of local damaged parts subject to Cd electroplating. In view of the high harmfulness of wastewater produced by Cd electroplating to environment and human beings, chemical method, physical-chemical method and biological method for treating the wastewater were summarized. Among the mentioned ways, microbiological method indicated a promising development prospect. Finally, research ideas and methods regarding Cd electroplating technique of iron and steel materials were previewed.