Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary
- 10th pct
- $35,180
- Middle 50%
- $40,660–$58,400
- 90th pct
- $66,350
The BLS estimates 14,000 Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs in the U.S. with a median base pay of $48,750 ($23.44 an hour) (May 2025, SOC 51-4191). Across 12 metros with published figures, medians range from $39,560 in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area to $58,890 in Pittsburgh, PA.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE14,000 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall U.S. employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · United States
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Where Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn the most
12 metros · BLS
Highest-paying metros
| Metro | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $58,890 | 210 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $56,280 | 240 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $55,370 | 210 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $50,790 | 650 |
| Cleveland, OH | $50,690 | 240 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,010 | 420 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $49,680 | 420 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,470 | 250 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $48,060 | 200 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $47,550 | 700 |
Largest metros
| Metro | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $47,550 | 700 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $45,100 | 690 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $50,790 | 650 |
| Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $39,560 | 430 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $49,680 | 420 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,010 | 420 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,470 | 250 |
| Cleveland, OH | $50,690 | 240 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $56,280 | 240 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $55,370 | 210 |
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All metros (A–Z)
BLS
Questions
What is the median Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in the U.S.?
$48,750 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half earn $40,660–$58,400.
How much do Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make an hour?
The BLS U.S. median is $23.44 an hour (May 2025). The middle half earn $19.55–$28.08 an hour, and the 90th percentile is $31.90. These are straight-time wages, before overtime and shift differentials.
Where do Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn the most?
Highest metro medians: Pittsburgh, PA ($58,890), Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ($56,280), Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN ($55,370). Cost of living differs, so compare offers locally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025 (metro, state and national estimates). Employer filing counts: U.S. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data FY2026 Q3, visa-sponsored positions only.