{"v":"2026-11-02","dataVersion":"ONET-30.3+BLS-MAY25","code":"51-4191.00","slug":"heat-treating-equipment-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic","title":"Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic","alt":["Batch Operator","Torch Operator","Charger Operator","Reach Operator","Muffle Operator","Pulpit Operator","Melting Operator","Thermoforming Operator","Billet Heater Operator","Cyanide Furnace Operator","Case Hardener","Induction Machine Operator"],"employment":14000,"wage":{"median":48750,"p25":40660,"p75":58400},"growthPct":-12.8,"exposure":14.9,"taskCount":23,"highCount":0,"midCount":0,"lowCount":23,"aeiObserved":0,"fit":{"mix":{"none":91.4,"efficient":8.6,"standard":0,"frontier":0},"counts":{"none":21,"efficient":2,"standard":0,"frontier":0},"recommended":"efficient","coveragePct":8.6,"addressablePct":8.6},"tasks":[{"t":"Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.","imp":4.83,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Getting Information"},{"t":"Determine flame temperatures, current frequencies, heating cycles, and induction heating coils needed, based on degree of hardness required and properties of stock to be treated.","imp":4.71,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Making Decisions and Solving Problems"},{"t":"Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.","imp":4.69,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Documenting/Recording Information"},{"t":"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.","imp":4.66,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Making Decisions and Solving Problems"},{"t":"Examine parts to ensure metal shades and colors conform to specifications, using knowledge of metal heat-treating.","imp":4.6,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials"},{"t":"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.","imp":4.59,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Set and adjust speeds of reels and conveyors for prescribed time cycles to pass parts through continuous furnaces.","imp":4.54,"exp":10,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Controlling Machines and Processes"},{"t":"Start conveyors and open furnace doors to load stock, or signal crane operators to uncover soaking pits and lower ingots into them.","imp":4.52,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"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.","imp":4.5,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Controlling Machines and Processes"},{"t":"Load parts into containers and place containers on conveyors to be inserted into furnaces, or insert parts into furnaces.","imp":4.47,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"Remove parts from furnaces after specified times, and air dry or cool parts in water, oil brine, or other baths.","imp":4.39,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Test parts for hardness, using hardness testing equipment, or by examining and feeling samples.","imp":4.39,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials"},{"t":"Move controls to light gas burners and to adjust gas and water flow and flame temperature.","imp":4.31,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Signal forklift operators to deposit or extract containers of parts into and from furnaces and quenching rinse tanks.","imp":4.14,"exp":8,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates"},{"t":"Mount workpieces in fixtures, on arbors, or between centers of machines.","imp":4.13,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Reduce heat when processing is complete to allow parts to cool in furnaces or machinery.","imp":4.13,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Mount fixtures and industrial coils on machines, using hand tools.","imp":4.12,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Heat billets, bars, plates, rods, and other stock to specified temperatures preparatory to forging, rolling, or processing, using oil, gas, or electrical furnaces.","imp":4.07,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Position stock in furnaces, using tongs, chain hoists, or pry bars.","imp":4.03,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Instruct new workers in machine operation.","imp":3.95,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Training and Teaching Others"},{"t":"Repair, replace, and maintain furnace equipment as needed, using hand tools.","imp":3.85,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment"},{"t":"Clean oxides and scales from parts or fittings, using steam sprays or chemical and water baths.","imp":3.59,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"Stamp heat-treatment identification marks on parts, using hammers and punches.","imp":3.22,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events"}],"adjacent":[{"code":"51-4193.00","slug":"plating-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic","title":"Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic","overlap":0.76,"months":9,"exposure":19.5,"strong":true},{"code":"51-4021.00","slug":"extruding-and-drawing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic","title":"Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic","overlap":0.75,"months":9,"exposure":16.1,"strong":true},{"code":"51-4072.00","slug":"molding-coremaking-and-casting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic","title":"Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic","overlap":0.75,"months":9,"exposure":19.5,"strong":true},{"code":"51-9051.00","slug":"furnace-kiln-oven-drier-and-kettle-operators-and-tenders","title":"Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders","overlap":0.75,"months":9,"exposure":22.2,"strong":true},{"code":"51-4022.00","slug":"forging-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic","title":"Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic","overlap":0.74,"months":9,"exposure":21.3,"strong":true}]}