All About Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Career 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?
- Repair, replace, and maintain furnace equipment as needed, using hand tools.
- Instruct new workers in machine operation.
- Position parts in plastic bags, and seal bags with irons.
- Mount fixtures and industrial coils on machines, using hand tools.
- Stamp heat-treatment identification marks on parts, using hammers and punches.
- Position stock in furnaces, using tongs, chain hoists, or pry bars.
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Things a Heat Treating Equipment Operator Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are important on the job.
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:
- Cyanide Furnace Operator
- Charger
- Steel Heater
- Sinter Feeder
- Metal Annealer
Job Opportunities for Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders
In the United States, there were 19,800 jobs for Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016. 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
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.
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
How to Become a Heat Treating Equipment Operator
Are there Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Heat Treating Equipment Operator?

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

Below are examples of industries where Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders work:

Similar Careers
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
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.
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