Careers · Explore one path
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.
Other titles employers use
Batch Heat Treat Operator · Burner · Coating Line Worker · Furnace Operator · Heat Treat Furnace Operator · Heat Treat Operator · Heat Treat Technician · Heat Treater
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.
- Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.
- 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.
- Start conveyors and open furnace doors to load stock, or signal crane operators to uncover soaking pits and lower ingots into them.
- 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.
- Remove parts from furnaces after specified times, and air dry or cool parts in water, oil brine, or other baths.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
Subjects to know
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Multilimb Coordination
- Reaction Time
- Problem Sensitivity
- Manual Dexterity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.4 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.5 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.1 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.5 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 90%
- A certificate or some college 10%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 3,070
- Job openings each year
- 310
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 9.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 3,070 | 310 | 9.6% |
| Ohio | 1,450 | 130 | −12.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,350 | 120 | −9.4% |
| Indiana | 1,130 | 100 | −6.6% |
| Michigan | 1,020 | 90 | −12.1% |
| Illinois | 810 | 70 | −8.0% |
| Wisconsin | 610 | 60 | — |
| South Carolina | 490 | 50 | −3.9% |
| Missouri | 340 | 30 | −2.9% |
| North Carolina | 340 | 30 | −5.6% |
| Tennessee | 310 | 30 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 290 | 30 | −6.5% |
| Florida | 260 | 30 | 8.3% |
| Oregon | 230 | 20 | 4.5% |
| Connecticut | 220 | 20 | −4.3% |
| Louisiana | 200 | 20 | −4.8% |
| Utah | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Georgia | 190 | 20 | 11.8% |
| Iowa | 180 | 20 | −5.3% |
| Kentucky | 180 | 20 | −10.0% |
| Oklahoma | 180 | 20 | −10.0% |
| Washington | 170 | 20 | — |
| Arkansas | 150 | 20 | −6.3% |
| Virginia | 150 | 10 | −11.8% |
| Alabama | 140 | 10 | — |
| Minnesota | 110 | 10 | −8.3% |
| Mississippi | 100 | 10 | −9.1% |
| Kansas | 90 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 70 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Arizona | 60 | 10 | — |
| Colorado | 50 | 10 | −16.7% |
| Massachusetts | 50 | 10 | −16.7% |
| Nebraska | 50 | 10 | −16.7% |
| Nevada | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.