What Does it Take to Be a Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender?
Heat Treating Equipment Operator Job Description 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: What Do They Do?
- Load parts into containers and place containers on conveyors to be inserted into furnaces, or insert parts into furnaces.
- Set up and operate or tend machines, such as furnaces, baths, flame-hardening machines, and electronic induction machines, that harden, anneal, and heat-treat metal.
- Stamp heat-treatment identification marks on parts, using hammers and punches.
- Test parts for hardness, using hardness testing equipment, or by examining and feeling samples.
- Move controls to light gas burners and to adjust gas and water flow and flame temperature.
- 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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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Heat Treating Equipment Operator?
These are the skills Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Heat Treating Operator
- Scarf and Anneal Operator
- Flame Hardener
- Flame Annealing Machine Setter
- Manufacturing Operator
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. The BLS estimates 1,700 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Heat Treating Equipment Operator Average Salary
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.
How much do Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in each U.S. state?
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 & Technology 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
Becoming a Heat Treating Equipment Operator
What education is needed to be a Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender?

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.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender might also be interested in the following careers:
- Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators
Career changers with experience as a Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
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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