Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender Salary 2025: $48,750 median, declining field
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $48,750 per year, or about $23 an hour. The top 10% make over $66,350, while those just starting earn around $35,180. These workers run furnaces and ovens that heat-treat metal or plastic parts to change their properties — hardening, annealing, or tempering. For anyone considering the field, the pay is solid but the job market is shrinking.
How much Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean annual wage of $50,450 for this occupation, with a median of $48,750. Most workers earn between $35,180 (10th percentile) and $66,350 (90th percentile). Pay varies by experience, location, and industry; manufacturing and aerospace tend to pay higher.
Working in heat treatment involves operating computer-controlled furnaces, monitoring temperatures, and handling materials with cranes or hoists. Overtime is common, especially in facilities that run 24/7, boosting annual earnings.
Pay by state
Washington pays the highest average at $61,990, followed by Oregon ($60,280), Colorado ($58,300), West Virginia ($56,880), and Virginia ($55,070). These states likely have strong aerospace, automotive, or energy sectors that require heat treating.
On the lower end, Minnesota averages $41,100, Arkansas $37,590, and Louisiana $35,180 — close to the national 10th percentile. Geography clearly matters for this occupation.
How to become Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Most workers enter this field with a high school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training is typical, lasting several months to a year. Some employers prefer applicants with a certificate from a technical school in metallurgy or manufacturing processes.
A few states require a license for certain heat-treating operations dealing with hazardous materials. Safety training and certification from the American Society for Metals (ASM International) or the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) can improve job prospects.
Steps to enter the field: 1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. 2. Complete on-the-job training or a technical certificate in heat treating / metallurgy. 3. Consider voluntary certification (e.g., NIMS Heat Treating). 4. Apply for entry-level operator positions.
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- On-the-job training (several months to a year)
- Optional technical certificate or associates degree in metallurgy
- Voluntary certification from NIMS or ASM can help advancement
Job outlook
Employment is projected to decline 12.8% from 2024 to 2034, much worse than the average for all occupations. However, about 1,200 openings are expected each year, mainly to replace workers leaving the field due to retirement or career changes.
The decline stems from automation and offshoring of heavy manufacturing. Still, replacement demand means jobs exist — especially in states with resilient industrial bases.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hourly wage for Heat Treating Equipment Setters?
The median hourly wage is about $23, based on the BLS mean annual wage of $50,450 divided by 2,080 hours.
Do I need a college degree to become a heat treating equipment operator?
No, a high school diploma is typically sufficient. On-the-job training is the primary pathway.
Is heat treating equipment operator a dying career?
The BLS projects a 12.8% decline in employment over the next decade, but about 1,200 job openings per year still occur due to turnover.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic data.