What Do Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic Do

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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

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.

Salary
$41680
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth
Low

Personality


What they do

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.

  • Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.
  • Determine flame temperatures, current frequencies, heating cycles, and induction heating coils needed, based on the degree of hardness required and properties of stock to be treated.
  • Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.
  • Determine types and temperatures of baths and quenching media needed to attain specified part hardness, toughness, and ductility, using heat-treating charts and knowledge of methods, equipment, and metals.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Heat Treating Equipment Operators determine types and temperatures of baths and quenching media needed to attain specified part hardness, toughness, and ductility, using heat-treating charts and knowledge of methods, equipment, and metals. They load parts into containers and place containers on conveyors to be inserted into furnaces, or insert parts into furnaces.

A typical day for a Heat Treating Equipment Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic will also include:

  • Set and adjust speeds of reels and conveyors for prescribed time cycles to pass parts through continuous furnaces.
  • Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.
  • Clean oxides and scales from parts or fittings, using steam sprays or chemical and water baths.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Heat Treating Equipment Operators also position parts in plastic bags and seal bags with irons. They may also repair, replace, and maintain furnace equipment as needed, using hand tools.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Heat Treating Equipment Operators mount workpieces in fixtures, on arbors, or between centers of machines. They might also set up and operate die-quenching machines to prevent parts from warping.

In addition, they mount fixtures and industrial coils on machines, using hand tools.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them place completed workpieces on conveyors, using cold rods, tongs, or chain hoists, or signal crane operators to transport them to subsequent stations.

To some Heat Treating Equipment Operators, it is also their responsibility to stamp heat-treatment identification marks on parts, using hammers and punches.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

59% said they were satisfied with their job and 38% said they found their job meaningful.


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

Demand for this career is not growing.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$41680 per year

Average hourly wage

$20 per hour

Entry-level Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $27,310 to $32,460 per year or $13 to $16 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $59,700 $29
Senior (Top 25%) $48,760 $23
Median $39,530 $19
Junior (Bottom 25%) $32,460 $16
No experience (Bottom 10%) $27,310 $13

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Federal Executive Branch $62620 $30.11
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing $54220 $26.07
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $49780 $23.93
Ship and Boat Building $48340 $23.24
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing $45740 $21.99
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services $45720 $21.98
Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing $44270 $21.28
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing $44140 $21.22
Electrical Equipment Manufacturing $43950 $21.13
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing $43870 $21.09

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities 4690 $39060 $18.78
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 1800 $38170 $18.35
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing 1450 $54220 $26.07
Machinery Manufacturing 820 $42020 $20.20
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing 730 $45740 $21.99
Plastics Product Manufacturing 720 $34670 $16.67
Foundries 650 $42390 $20.38
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing 640 $39350 $18.92
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing 620 $49780 $23.93
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing 610 $43870 $21.09

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
44%

More than 40 hours
56%

Working schedule

86%

14%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
5%

Every day
13%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
23%

Every day
24%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
61%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
71%

Once a year
22%

Once a month
0%

Once a week
6%

Every day
1%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
24%

Slightly competitive
12%

Moderately competitive
47%

Highly competitive
6%

Extremely competitive
11%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
36%

Once a year or more
17%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
46%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
18%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
5%

Once a week or more
10%

Every day
67%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
64%

Once a year or more
28%

Once a month or more
5%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
3%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
98%

Once a year or more
1%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
1%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
20%

High School Diploma or equivalent
70%

Post-Secondary Certificate
10%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Machine Tool Technology/Machinist

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to plan, manufacture, assemble, test, and repair parts, mechanisms, machines, and structures in which materials are cast, formed, shaped, molded, heat treated, cut, twisted, pressed, fused, stamped or worked.

Machine Shop Technology/Assistant

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to fabricate and modify metal parts in support of other manufacturing, repair or design activities, or as an independent business.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
48%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
21%

6 months to 1 year
31%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 6 years
0%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
19%

1 to 3 months
24%

3 to 6 months
37%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
20%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
100%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
33%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
19%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
14%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
29%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
48%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
33%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
38%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
29%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
52%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
76%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
43%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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