Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4191) earn a median $48,750 a year ($23.44 an hour) in the United States, with 14,000 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Washington.
What heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
Heat treating equipment operators change the properties of metal or plastic parts by controlled heating and cooling, such as hardening, tempering, or annealing. Furnaces, baths, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, soaking pits, and vacuum equipment are the usual equipment. The operator follows production schedules and work orders that specify the sequence, furnace temperature, and length of the heat cycle for each batch. Loading stock may involve starting a conveyor, opening furnace doors, or signaling a crane to lower ingots into a pit. During the cycle they watch thermal instruments, dials, charts, and sometimes the color of the glowing metal, adjusting controls to hold the temperature. They record when parts come out to document that required temperature and time were met, then cool them by air or by quenching in water, oil, or brine. The operator also lights gas burners, adjusts gas and water flow and flame temperature, and may instruct new workers in machine operation.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, a high school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education reported by workers in this occupation.
Also called: Annealer, Annealing Furnace Operator, Annealing Furnace Tender, Annealing Oven Operator, Annealing Torch Operator.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $16.92 | $19.55 | $23.44 | $28.08 | $31.90 | $24.26 | 14,000 |
| Annual | $35,180 | $40,660 | $48,750 | $58,400 | $66,350 | $50,450 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington | Hourly | $23.24 | $25.27 | $29.80 | $38.84 | $50.32 | $32.81 | 140 | 0.04 | 0.45 |
| Annual | $48,340 | $52,560 | $61,990 | $80,790 | $104,660 | $68,250 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $21.36 | $22.91 | $28.98 | $36.78 | $39.46 | $30.27 | 240 | 0.12 | 1.34 |
| Annual | $44,420 | $47,650 | $60,280 | $76,510 | $82,070 | $62,960 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $22.01 | $23.49 | $28.03 | $32.11 | $38.60 | $28.78 | 100 | 0.04 | 0.40 |
| Annual | $45,780 | $48,860 | $58,300 | $66,790 | $80,280 | $59,870 | ||||
| West Virginia | Hourly | $20.58 | $22.56 | $27.35 | $27.66 | $29.31 | $25.55 | 70 | 0.10 | 1.06 |
| Annual | $42,800 | $46,930 | $56,880 | $57,540 | $60,970 | $53,140 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $19.71 | $22.47 | $26.47 | $32.82 | $40.08 | $28.25 | 190 | 0.05 | 0.50 |
| Annual | $41,000 | $46,730 | $55,070 | $68,260 | $83,360 | $58,760 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $18.16 | $19.36 | $23.46 | $28.03 | $30.72 | $24.08 | 1,520 | 0.25 | 2.78 |
| Annual | $37,770 | $40,260 | $48,800 | $58,300 | $63,890 | $50,090 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $11.75 | $13.56 | $20.04 | $28.91 | $36.62 | $21.76 | 1,450 | 0.10 | 1.14 |
| Annual | $24,440 | $28,210 | $41,690 | $60,130 | $76,160 | $45,250 | ||||
| Michigan | Hourly | $19.61 | $22.73 | $24.31 | $28.02 | $29.80 | $25.07 | 1,190 | 0.27 | 3.00 |
| Annual | $40,790 | $47,270 | $50,560 | $58,290 | $61,990 | $52,150 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $19.01 | $21.90 | $25.42 | $30.15 | $34.02 | $26.37 | 1,040 | 0.19 | 2.09 |
| Annual | $39,550 | $45,560 | $52,880 | $62,710 | $70,770 | $54,860 | ||||
| Indiana | Hourly | $15.43 | $16.82 | $22.53 | $26.59 | $30.47 | $22.63 | 990 | 0.31 | 3.45 |
| Annual | $32,090 | $34,990 | $46,860 | $55,310 | $63,380 | $47,070 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Canton-Massillon, OH | Hourly | $23.07 | $25.05 | $32.25 | $34.02 | $34.02 | $30.11 | 170 | 1.04 | 11.57 |
| Annual | $47,990 | $52,110 | $67,070 | $70,770 | $70,770 | $62,640 | ||||
| Oklahoma City, OK | Hourly | $17.35 | $27.20 | $31.56 | $33.96 | $35.46 | $29.72 | 40 | 0.05 | 0.59 |
| Annual | $36,080 | $56,580 | $65,640 | $70,640 | $73,760 | $61,810 | ||||
| Albany, OR | Hourly | $21.12 | $22.17 | $30.87 | $39.42 | $39.42 | $31.60 | 40 | 0.89 | 9.85 |
| Annual | $43,930 | $46,120 | $64,210 | $81,990 | $81,990 | $65,720 | ||||
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | Hourly | $22.71 | $22.71 | $30.75 | $38.28 | $45.45 | $31.57 | 50 | 0.32 | 3.59 |
| Annual | $47,230 | $47,230 | $63,960 | $79,620 | $94,530 | $65,670 | ||||
| Columbus, OH | Hourly | $22.35 | $25.90 | $30.06 | $31.16 | $34.24 | $28.99 | 40 | 0.04 | 0.45 |
| Annual | $46,480 | $53,870 | $62,530 | $64,820 | $71,220 | $60,300 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $11.75 | $13.56 | $22.86 | $29.66 | $36.88 | $22.51 | 700 | 0.21 | 2.36 |
| Annual | $24,440 | $28,210 | $47,550 | $61,700 | $76,710 | $46,830 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $16.70 | $17.75 | $21.68 | $26.82 | $33.89 | $22.86 | 690 | 0.15 | 1.70 |
| Annual | $34,740 | $36,910 | $45,100 | $55,780 | $70,500 | $47,550 | ||||
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | Hourly | $21.93 | $22.82 | $24.42 | $28.85 | $29.68 | $25.40 | 650 | 0.34 | 3.80 |
| Annual | $45,620 | $47,470 | $50,790 | $60,000 | $61,730 | $52,820 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $21.34 | $22.73 | $23.89 | $28.44 | $30.64 | $25.26 | 420 | 0.07 | 0.75 |
| Annual | $44,380 | $47,280 | $49,680 | $59,160 | $63,740 | $52,540 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $18.30 | $20.89 | $24.04 | $27.33 | $35.74 | $25.28 | 420 | 0.04 | 0.49 |
| Annual | $38,070 | $43,440 | $50,010 | $56,850 | $74,340 | $52,590 | ||||
Top industries employing heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities employ 23.0% of heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationally (3,220 jobs) at a median $48,040 a year ($23.09 an hour), followed by Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) (17.7%) and Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) (7.6%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities NAICS 332800 | 3,220 | 23.0% | $48,040 | $23.09 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) NAICS 3320A1 | 2,480 | 17.7% | $44,580 | $21.44 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) NAICS 3330A1 | 1,070 | 7.6% | $51,420 | $24.72 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing NAICS 336400 | 940 | 6.7% | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing NAICS 331100 | 630 | 4.5% | $51,380 | $24.70 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (14,000). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $38,450 for heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in May 2021 and $48,750 in May 2025, with employment of 14,540 and 14,000.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $38,450 | $18.49 | 14,540 |
| May 2022 | $40,900 | $19.66 | 15,600 |
| May 2023 | $44,240 | $21.27 | 14,950 |
| May 2024 | $47,450 | $22.81 | 14,590 |
| May 2025 | $48,750 | $23.44 | 14,000 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
37 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington profile | $29.80 | $61,990 | $48,340 | $104,660 | 140 | 0.04 | 0.45 |
| 2 | Oregon profile | $28.98 | $60,280 | $44,420 | $82,070 | 240 | 0.12 | 1.34 |
| 3 | Colorado profile | $28.03 | $58,300 | $45,780 | $80,280 | 100 | 0.04 | 0.40 |
| 4 | West Virginia profile | $27.35 | $56,880 | $42,800 | $60,970 | 70 | 0.10 | 1.06 |
| 5 | Virginia profile | $26.47 | $55,070 | $41,000 | $83,360 | 190 | 0.05 | 0.50 |
| 6 | Tennessee profile | $26.41 | $54,930 | $39,980 | $59,210 | 670 | 0.20 | 2.26 |
| 7 | New York profile | $25.45 | $52,940 | $37,750 | $64,560 | 280 | 0.03 | 0.32 |
| 8 | Ohio profile | $25.42 | $52,880 | $39,550 | $70,770 | 1,040 | 0.19 | 2.09 |
| 9 | New Hampshire profile | $25.12 | $52,250 | $42,980 | $70,720 | 90 | 0.13 | 1.49 |
| 10 | Oklahoma profile | $24.85 | $51,680 | $42,070 | $78,030 | 120 | 0.07 | 0.81 |
| 11 | Arizona profile | $24.36 | $50,660 | $39,740 | $73,920 | 160 | 0.05 | 0.53 |
| 12 | Michigan profile | $24.31 | $50,560 | $40,790 | $61,990 | 1,190 | 0.27 | 3.00 |
| 13 | California profile | $24.11 | $50,150 | $42,950 | $69,670 | 770 | 0.04 | 0.47 |
| 14 | Iowa profile | $23.93 | $49,760 | $40,300 | $63,340 | 120 | 0.08 | 0.88 |
| 15 | New Jersey profile | $23.86 | $49,640 | $37,700 | $74,340 | 440 | 0.10 | 1.14 |
| 16 | Massachusetts profile | $23.69 | $49,280 | $42,360 | $83,010 | 250 | 0.07 | 0.76 |
| 17 | Wisconsin profile | $23.61 | $49,100 | $42,300 | $62,990 | 470 | 0.16 | 1.78 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania profile | $23.46 | $48,800 | $37,770 | $63,890 | 1,520 | 0.25 | 2.78 |
| 19 | Nebraska profile | $23.14 | $48,120 | $38,070 | $54,170 | 50 | 0.05 | 0.51 |
| 20 | Missouri profile | $23.07 | $47,980 | $42,060 | $64,000 | 140 | 0.05 | 0.52 |
| 21 | Utah profile | $23.01 | $47,860 | $37,820 | $68,950 | 90 | 0.05 | 0.59 |
| 22 | Kansas profile | $22.84 | $47,500 | $38,110 | $77,930 | 50 | 0.04 | 0.39 |
| 23 | Florida profile | $22.77 | $47,370 | $38,480 | $60,090 | 150 | 0.02 | 0.17 |
| 24 | Kentucky profile | $22.64 | $47,090 | $37,150 | $63,660 | 340 | 0.17 | 1.87 |
| 25 | Alabama profile | $22.56 | $46,920 | $35,190 | $88,350 | 170 | 0.08 | 0.88 |
| 26 | Indiana profile | $22.53 | $46,860 | $32,090 | $63,380 | 990 | 0.31 | 3.45 |
| 27 | South Carolina profile | $22.48 | $46,750 | $37,550 | $58,140 | 290 | 0.12 | 1.38 |
| 28 | North Carolina profile | $22.43 | $46,660 | $36,260 | $60,730 | 320 | 0.07 | 0.72 |
| 29 | Mississippi profile | $22.42 | $46,630 | $31,410 | $74,090 | 80 | 0.07 | 0.72 |
| 30 | Maine profile | $21.92 | $45,590 | $38,670 | $60,890 | 40 | 0.06 | 0.66 |
| 31 | Illinois profile | $21.80 | $45,340 | $34,760 | $63,180 | 850 | 0.14 | 1.55 |
| 32 | Connecticut profile | $21.32 | $44,350 | $35,080 | $62,080 | 320 | 0.19 | 2.12 |
| 33 | Georgia profile | $21.18 | $44,050 | $36,960 | $65,660 | 250 | 0.05 | 0.56 |
| 34 | Texas profile | $20.04 | $41,690 | $24,440 | $76,160 | 1,450 | 0.10 | 1.14 |
| 35 | Minnesota profile | $19.76 | $41,100 | $38,230 | $57,050 | 90 | 0.03 | 0.33 |
| 36 | Arkansas profile | $18.07 | $37,590 | $32,610 | $52,110 | 200 | 0.15 | 1.68 |
| 37 | Louisiana profile | $16.92 | $35,180 | $31,500 | $49,100 | ** | ** | ** |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (51-4190), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Production Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 51-4191 Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 51-4191, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 51-4191.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.