How much does a heat treating operator make?

In the United States, pay can differ with experience, in-demand skills, or useful certificates. It also varies by employer or industry and location; more complex tasks or greater responsibility may bring higher pay.

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.

What's a typical day like?

An operator checks the work order, loads metal parts into a furnace, and sets the heat and timing while watching gauges. After the cycle, they cool the parts in water or oil, test hardness, and record the results.

In the United States, a high school diploma or GED is a usual starting point, followed by on-the-job training. A registered “Heat Treater I” apprenticeship is another route; training can range from a few days to a year.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

Operators may use the color of metal inside a furnace, along with gauges, to help decide how to set the heat.