Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC Code: 51-4191
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 79.6/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Operation and Control, Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring.
AI-Proof Score: 79.6 — High
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Median Salary
$47,450
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Job Growth
-12.8%
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Training Time
Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)
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Job Zone
Zone 2 / 5
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Training Cost
~$5,000
Key Skills
- •Operation and Control
- •Operations Monitoring
- •Monitoring
- •Quality Control Analysis
- •Equipment Maintenance
- •Speaking
Common Tasks
- ✓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.
Training & Resources
Why AI-Proof?
- ✅Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
- ✅Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
- ✅Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
- ✅Social and regulatory barriers to full automation