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All About Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Heat Treating Equipment Operator Definition 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.
Life As a Heat Treating Equipment Operator
- Signal forklift operators to deposit or extract containers of parts into and from furnaces and quenching rinse tanks.
- Load parts into containers and place containers on conveyors to be inserted into furnaces, or insert parts into furnaces.
- Determine types and temperatures of baths and quenching media needed to attain specified part hardness, toughness, and ductility, using heat-treating charts and knowledge of methods, equipment, and metals.
- Mount fixtures and industrial coils on machines, using hand tools.
- Position parts in plastic bags, and seal bags with irons.
- Heat billets, bars, plates, rods, and other stock to specified temperatures preparatory to forging, rolling, or processing, using oil, gas, or electrical furnaces.
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Heat Treating Equipment Operator Needed Skills
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:
- Carburizing Furnace Operator
- Burner Machine Operator
- Temperer
- Manufacturing Associate
- Face Hardener
Job Outlook 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,700 job openings in this field each 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Heat Treating Equipment Operator
Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders make between $25,580 and $55,340 a year.
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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
How do I Become a Heat Treating Equipment Operator?
Learn what Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders employed by various industries.
Related 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
Are you already one of the many Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.