Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders control machines that heat and cool metal and plastic to precise specifications. It is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a high school diploma. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
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You operate and monitor heat treating equipment that strengthens and shapes metal and plastic materials. Your day involves setting machine controls, loading and moving materials, watching temperatures and pressures, and communicating with your team about production goals. You identify when materials meet quality standards and when equipment needs adjustment. The work requires attention to detail and the ability to follow technical specifications closely. You may operate vehicles or mechanized devices to transport heavy loads around the facility.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $48,750 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 1,200 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. You will learn on the job through hands-on training with experienced operators and supervisors. Some employers offer formal apprenticeships or training programs that combine classroom instruction in production processes, mathematics, and chemistry with supervised work experience. The preparation typically takes some time, but you can start earning while you learn. Talk with your counselor about entry-level openings at manufacturers in your area.
Most people enter this field directly from high school or through employer-sponsored training programs. If you are exploring your options, Pathly can map the heat treating equipment setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic path that fits you to map out a path that fits your timeline, and work through it with your counselor.
You like working with your hands and solving practical problems. You are detail-oriented, follow instructions well, and work best in structured environments with clear processes and measurable results.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).