The median pay for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $48,750 a year ($23.44/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 9.5% through 2035, with about 1,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-4191
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic in four numbers
- Median pay
- $48,750a year, or $23.44/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $35KTop 10% $66K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -9.5%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−9.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −9.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,10014,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202514.4K
- Projected 203513K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 14.4K Projected 2035 13K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school20.1%
- High school69.9%
- Certificate9.8%
- Associate's0.3%
Highest education held by heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic Segment Value Less than high school 20.1% High school 69.9% Certificate 9.8% Associate's 0.3%
Also advertised as: Batch Heat Treat Operator, Burner, Coating Line Worker, Furnace Operator, Heat Treat Furnace Operator, Heat Treat Operator.
Pay
How much do Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
Every heat treating equipment setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$48,750
Middle half earn $40,660 to $58,400
- 10th
- $35,180
- 25th
- $40,660
- 75th
- $58,400
- 90th
- $66,350
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,180 |
| 25th | $40,660 |
| Median | $48,750 |
| 75th | $58,400 |
| 90th | $66,350 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $48,750
- Median hourly wage
- $23.44/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $50,450
- People employed
- 14,000
Versus all US occupations
At $48,750, Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn 4% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $2,230 a year.
Versus production occupations
The median is typical for the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $66,350 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,180, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 20% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($61,990), but once local prices are taken into account West Virginia leads at $63,555 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $61,990 | $57,928 | 140 |
| 2Oregon | $60,280 | $58,320 | 240 |
| 3Colorado | $58,300 | $56,573 | 100 |
| 4West Virginia | $56,880 | $63,555 | 70 |
| 5Virginia | $55,070 | $54,469 | 190 |
| 6Tennessee | $54,930 | $59,791 | 670 |
| 7New York | $52,940 | $49,054 | 280 |
| 8Ohio | $52,880 | $56,999 | 1,040 |
| 9New Hampshire | $52,250 | $50,161 | 90 |
| 10Oklahoma | $51,680 | $58,832 | 120 |
Job outlook
Is Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -9.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | −9.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic to change -9.5% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 1,400 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,100 openings are projected each year, 7.6% of the 14,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of metal and plastic machine workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of metal and plastic machine workers varies by occupation (see table).
One of the most important factors influencing employment of these workers is the use of laborsaving machinery. Many firms are continuing to expand the use of technologies, such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) tools and robots, to improve quality and lower production costs. The use of CNC equipment requires CNC tool programmers instead of machine setters, operators, and tenders. Therefore, demand for most manual tool operators and tenders is likely to be reduced, while demand for CNC tool programmers is expected to be strong.
Getting in
How to become a Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
Metal and plastic workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive 1 year of on-the-job training. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) tool programmers typically need postsecondary education.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)69.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma20.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate9.8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 69.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 20.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 9.8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic do?
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.
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Instruct new workers in machine operation.
- Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.
- Adjust controls to maintain temperatures and heating times, using thermal instruments and charts, dials and gauges of furnaces, and color of stock in furnaces to make setting determinations.
- Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.
- Remove parts from furnaces after specified times, and air dry or cool parts in water, oil brine, or other baths.
- Move controls to light gas burners and to adjust gas and water flow and flame temperature.
- Start conveyors and open furnace doors to load stock, or signal crane operators to uncover soaking pits and lower ingots into them.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most metal and plastic machine workers are employed full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because many manufacturers run their machinery for extended periods, evening and weekend work is also common.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Writing2.9
- Mathematics2.9
- Active Learning2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Mathematics | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.8
- Operation and Control3.8
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Equipment Maintenance3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Instructing2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.8
- Conventional4.1
- Investigative2.2
- Social1.6
- Artistic1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender
$54,430median a year
Most earn $39K to $74K
−2.9%High school - Production
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operator and Tender
$48,040median a year
Most earn $36K to $70K
+2.6%High school - Production
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$44,350median a year
Most earn $34K to $62K
−3.4%High school - Production
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$51,610median a year
Most earn $36K to $80K
−5.7%High school - Production
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$47,920median a year
Most earn $37K to $67K
−8.9%High school - Production
Plating Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$43,960median a year
Most earn $34K to $60K
−9.7%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic$48,750
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic | $48,750 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic appears on
Questions
Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic: frequently asked questions
How much do Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $48,750 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 4% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $23.44/hr. The middle half earn between $40,660 and $58,400. The top 10% earn $66,350 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 69.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 9.5% over 2025–2035, a loss of 1,400 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic do?
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces. A core O*NET task: 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. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic the most?
The highest state medians for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are Washington ($61,990), Oregon ($60,280), Colorado ($58,300) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, West Virginia moves to the top at $63,555.
What personality type suits a Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET scores Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.