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Metal and Plastic Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, or Tender

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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.

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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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?

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

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

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

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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:

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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