Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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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.
Table of contents
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.
Freedom to make decisions
How much decision making freedom does this job offer?
Structured vs unstructured work
To what extent is this job structured for you versus allowing you to determine your own tasks, priorities, and goals?
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
Work with group or team
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Deal with external customers
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Manage or lead others
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How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Frequency of conflict situations
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Dealing with angry people
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Dealing with physically aggressive people
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Level of competition
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Repetition in this job
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Impact of decisions on co-workers or company results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Frequency of decision making
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Responsibility for others’ health and safety
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Responsibility for outcomes and results
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What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
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Relevant work experience
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On The Job Training
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Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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