Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the United States was $48,750 ($23.44 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,180 | $16.92 |
| 25th | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Median | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| 75th | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| 90th | $66,350 | $31.90 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-4191
- Total U.S. employment: 14,000
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
The mean wage of $50,450 sits 3.5% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $35,180, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $66,350 — a 1.9x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,920 | $22.56 | -3.8% | 170 |
| Arizona | $50,660 | $24.36 | +3.9% | 160 |
| Arkansas | $37,590 | $18.07 | -22.9% | 200 |
| California | $50,150 | $24.11 | +2.9% | 770 |
| Colorado | $58,300 | $28.03 | +19.6% | 100 |
| Connecticut | $44,350 | $21.32 | -9.0% | 320 |
| Florida | $47,370 | $22.77 | -2.8% | 150 |
| Georgia | $44,050 | $21.18 | -9.6% | 250 |
| Illinois | $45,340 | $21.80 | -7.0% | 850 |
| Indiana | $46,860 | $22.53 | -3.9% | 990 |
| Iowa | $49,760 | $23.93 | +2.1% | 120 |
| Kansas | $47,500 | $22.84 | -2.6% | 50 |
| Kentucky | $47,090 | $22.64 | -3.4% | 340 |
| Louisiana | $35,180 | $16.92 | -27.8% | 0 |
| Maine | $45,590 | $21.92 | -6.5% | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $49,280 | $23.69 | +1.1% | 250 |
| Michigan | $50,560 | $24.31 | +3.7% | 1,190 |
| Minnesota | $41,100 | $19.76 | -15.7% | 90 |
| Mississippi | $46,630 | $22.42 | -4.3% | 80 |
| Missouri | $47,980 | $23.07 | -1.6% | 140 |
| Nebraska | $48,120 | $23.14 | -1.3% | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $52,250 | $25.12 | +7.2% | 90 |
| New Jersey | $49,640 | $23.86 | +1.8% | 440 |
| New York | $52,940 | $25.45 | +8.6% | 280 |
| North Carolina | $46,660 | $22.43 | -4.3% | 320 |
| Ohio | $52,880 | $25.42 | +8.5% | 1,040 |
| Oklahoma | $51,680 | $24.85 | +6.0% | 120 |
| Oregon | $60,280 | $28.98 | +23.7% | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,800 | $23.46 | +0.1% | 1,520 |
| South Carolina | $46,750 | $22.48 | -4.1% | 290 |
| Tennessee | $54,930 | $26.41 | +12.7% | 670 |
| Texas | $41,690 | $20.04 | -14.5% | 1,450 |
| Utah | $47,860 | $23.01 | -1.8% | 90 |
| Virginia | $55,070 | $26.47 | +13.0% | 190 |
| Washington | $61,990 | $29.80 | +27.2% | 140 |
| West Virginia | $56,880 | $27.35 | +16.7% | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $49,100 | $23.61 | +0.7% | 470 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Bartenders — $34,340/yr
- Lawyers — $159,670/yr
- Computer User Support Specialists — $61,860/yr
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics — $50,620/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers — $74,450/yr
- Computer and Information Systems Managers — $175,140/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The median annual wage for heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $48,750 ($23.44 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 14,000 heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $23.44. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.