What Do Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender Do?
Example of Heat Treating Equipment Operator Job Set up, operate, or tend heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, soaking pits, or vacuum equipment to temper, harden, anneal, or heat-treat metal or plastic objects.
A Day in the Life of a Heat Treating Equipment Operator
- Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.
- Start conveyors and open furnace doors to load stock, or signal crane operators to uncover soaking pits and lower ingots into them.
- Place completed workpieces on conveyors, using cold rods, tongs, or chain hoists, or signal crane operators to transport them to subsequent stations.
- Repair, replace, and maintain furnace equipment as needed, using hand tools.
- Examine parts to ensure metal shades and colors conform to specifications, using knowledge of metal heat-treating.
- Test parts for hardness, using hardness testing equipment, or by examining and feeling samples.
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Skills Needed to be a Heat Treating Equipment Operator
When polled, Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Rivet Heater
- Batch Heat Treat Operator
- Annealing Torch Operator
- Case Hardener
- Steel Heater
Is There Job Demand for Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 19,800 jobs in the United States for Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender. There will be an estimated 1,700 positions for Heat Treating Equipment Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Heat Treating Equipment Operator are Utah, Arizona, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Virginia, or New Hampshire. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Heat Treating Equipment Operator Make?
The typical yearly salary for Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders is somewhere between $25,580 and $55,340.

Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Washington, Oregon, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $39,660 |
Arizona | $39,250 |
Arkansas | $38,750 |
California | $42,390 |
Colorado | $40,670 |
Connecticut | $40,440 |
Florida | $33,630 |
Georgia | $35,840 |
Illinois | $37,420 |
Indiana | $39,140 |
Iowa | $38,990 |
Kansas | $39,350 |
Kentucky | $37,750 |
Louisiana | $42,500 |
Massachusetts | $44,190 |
Michigan | $36,430 |
Minnesota | $37,640 |
Mississippi | $37,780 |
Missouri | $36,560 |
Nebraska | $38,480 |
New Hampshire | $40,110 |
New Jersey | $39,190 |
New York | $38,740 |
North Carolina | $42,920 |
Ohio | $37,930 |
Oklahoma | $41,800 |
Oregon | $45,150 |
Pennsylvania | $41,480 |
Rhode Island | $41,780 |
South Carolina | $38,090 |
South Dakota | $38,520 |
Tennessee | $34,280 |
Texas | $38,470 |
Utah | $35,710 |
Vermont | $42,680 |
Virginia | $39,360 |
Washington | $51,430 |
West Virginia | $42,150 |
Wisconsin | $38,200 |
What Tools do Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
How do I Become a Heat Treating Equipment Operator?
Individuals working as a Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Heat Treating Equipment Operator?

Who Employs Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender may also be interested in:
- Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators
Those who work as a Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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