SOC 514191

Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

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.

National Median

$47,450

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$47,450

Entry Level (10th pct)

$35,260

Experienced (90th pct)

$64,290

Total Employed

14,590

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$35,260 - $39,900
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$39,900 - $56,330
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$56,330 - $64,290

Highest Paying Locations for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$66,860

+40.9% vs national

Oklahoma City, OK

$64,420

+35.8% vs national

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

$64,390

+35.7% vs national

Washington

$64,040

+35.0% vs national

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

$62,260

+31.2% vs national

Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$66,860	120
Oklahoma City, OK	$64,420	30
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$64,390	140
Washington	$64,040	140
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$62,260	70
West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$62,210	40
Oregon	$62,200	160
Corpus Christi, TX	$61,810	40
Tulsa, OK	$60,380	30
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$59,740	80
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$58,740	40
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$58,660	190
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$57,860	50
Fort Wayne, IN	$57,750	70
Pittsburgh, PA	$56,990	250
Colorado	$56,810	80
Johnstown, PA	$56,590	40
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$56,280	N/A
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$55,670	30
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	$55,360	50
Springfield, MA	$55,340	40
Massachusetts	$55,340	190
West Virginia	$55,100	60
Columbus, IN	$54,450	160
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$54,410	70
Columbus, OH	$53,970	60
Toledo, OH	$53,610	290
Erie, PA	$53,560	70
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$52,470	570
New York	$52,470	280
Rochester, NY	$52,470	60
York-Hanover, PA	$52,230	50
Reading, PA	$52,120	N/A
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$51,940	30
Kentucky	$51,360	260
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$51,330	160
St. Louis, MO-IL	$51,250	140
North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous)	$51,000	100
Kansas	$50,890	80
Richmond, VA	$50,740	40
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI	$50,540	80
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	$50,420	60
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$50,220	110
Arizona	$50,220	140
New Hampshire	$50,170	60
Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area	$50,030	40
Iowa	$49,560	160
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	$49,460	70
Ohio	$49,460	1,580
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$49,330	30

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

The national median annual salary for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $47,450, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, with a median salary of $66,860.

How much can an experienced Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?

Top-earning Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (90th percentile) make $64,290 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.