Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $48,750 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -9.5% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 1,100
- Self-employed
- 3%
Employment of heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 9.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,670
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,023
- Medicare (1.45%)$707
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,351
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,180 | $16.91 | $30,447 |
| 25th percentile | $40,660 | $19.55 | $34,850 |
| Median (50th) | $48,750 | $23.44 | $41,351 |
| 75th percentile | $58,400 | $28.08 | $49,104 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,350 | $31.90 | $55,492 |
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $61,990 | −3.2% | $51,989 | $48,340 – $104,660 | 140 |
| Oregon | $60,280 | −3.1% | $46,170 | $44,420 – $82,070 | 240 |
| Colorado | $58,300 | +2.6% | $47,167 | $45,780 – $80,280 | 100 |
| West Virginia | $56,880 | +3.2% | $46,057 | $42,800 – $60,970 | 70 |
| Virginia | $55,070 | +13.1% | $44,076 | $41,000 – $83,360 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $54,930 | +43.9% | $46,316 | $39,980 – $59,210 | 670 |
| New York | $52,940 | +0.9% | $42,456 | $37,750 – $64,560 | 280 |
| Ohio | $52,880 | +6.9% | $43,997 | $39,550 – $70,770 | 1,040 |
| New Hampshire | $52,250 | +4.1% | $44,163 | $42,980 – $70,720 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $51,680 | +25.2% | $41,925 | $42,070 – $78,030 | 120 |
| Arizona | $50,660 | +0.9% | $41,828 | $39,740 – $73,920 | 160 |
| Michigan | $50,560 | +4.6% | $40,907 | $40,790 – $61,990 | 1,190 |
| California | $50,150 | +3.9% | $40,765 | $42,950 – $69,670 | 770 |
| Iowa | $49,760 | +0.4% | $40,923 | $40,300 – $63,340 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $49,640 | +10.1% | $40,871 | $37,700 – $74,340 | 440 |
| Massachusetts | $49,280 | −11.0% | $39,532 | $42,360 – $83,010 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $49,100 | +2.4% | $40,252 | $42,300 – $62,990 | 470 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,800 | −0.9% | $39,893 | $37,770 – $63,890 | 1,520 |
| Nebraska | $48,120 | +1.7% | $39,535 | $38,070 – $54,170 | 50 |
| Missouri | $47,980 | −0.2% | $39,414 | $42,060 – $64,000 | 140 |
| Utah | $47,860 | +3.2% | $39,448 | $37,820 – $68,950 | 90 |
| Kansas | $47,500 | −6.7% | $38,495 | $38,110 – $77,930 | 50 |
| Florida | $47,370 | +8.2% | $40,242 | $38,480 – $60,090 | 150 |
| Kentucky | $47,090 | −8.3% | $38,486 | $37,150 – $63,660 | 340 |
| Alabama | $46,920 | +4.9% | $37,799 | $35,190 – $88,350 | 170 |
| Indiana | $46,860 | −3.6% | $38,479 | $32,090 – $63,380 | 990 |
| South Carolina | $46,750 | +3.2% | $38,096 | $37,550 – $58,140 | 290 |
| North Carolina | $46,660 | +7.1% | $38,318 | $36,260 – $60,730 | 320 |
| Mississippi | $46,630 | −3.6% | $38,514 | $31,410 – $74,090 | 80 |
| Maine | $45,590 | — | $36,916 | $38,670 – $60,890 | 40 |
| Illinois | $45,340 | +8.7% | $36,511 | $34,760 – $63,180 | 850 |
| Connecticut | $44,350 | +16.7% | $36,744 | $35,080 – $62,080 | 320 |
| Georgia | $44,050 | +8.3% | $35,911 | $36,960 – $65,660 | 250 |
| Texas | $41,690 | −5.1% | $35,678 | $24,440 – $76,160 | 1,450 |
| Minnesota | $41,100 | −12.4% | $33,824 | $38,230 – $57,050 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $37,590 | +7.5% | $31,130 | $32,610 – $52,110 | 200 |
| Louisiana | $35,180 | — | $29,778 | $31,500 – $49,100 | — |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median salary for heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $48,750 a year ($23.44 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,180 and the top 10% earn over $66,350. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $61,990.
How many heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?
About 14,000 people work as heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.