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Occupation · SOC 51-4191

Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

There are 14,000 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $48,750 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
14,000
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$48,750
Median pay a year
Middle half: $40,660–$58,400
1,100
Annual openings
10-year change: −9.5%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 64 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $47,550 · LCA filings 0700$47,5500
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $45,100 · LCA filings 0690$45,1000
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $50,790 · LCA filings 0650$50,7900
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $49,680 · LCA filings 0420$49,6800
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $50,010 · LCA filings 0420$50,0100
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $49,470 · LCA filings 0250$49,4700
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $50,690 · LCA filings 0240$50,6900
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $56,280 · LCA filings 0240$56,2800
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INMedian pay $55,370 · LCA filings 0210$55,3700
Pittsburgh, PAMedian pay $58,890 · LCA filings 0210$58,8900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Canton–Massillon, OHEmployment 170 · LCA filings 0$67,0701700
Oklahoma City, OKEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$65,640400
Albany, OREmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$64,210400
Beaumont–Port Arthur, TXEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$63,960500
Columbus, OHEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$62,530400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $36,816 · Level III $46,738 · Level IV $56,659$26,894$36,816$46,738$56,659
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $41,475 · Level III $47,486 · Level IV $53,498$35,464$41,475$47,486$53,498
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $48,942 · Level III $52,790 · Level IV $56,638$45,094$48,942$52,790$56,638
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $48,630 · Level III $52,499 · Level IV $56,368$44,762$48,630$52,499$56,368
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $46,114 · Level III $52,520 · Level IV $58,926$39,707$46,114$52,520$58,926
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $48,651 · Level III $53,602 · Level IV $58,531$43,722$48,651$53,602$58,531
Cleveland, OHLevel II $47,611 · Level III $53,685 · Level IV $59,779$41,517$47,611$53,685$59,779
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $54,517 · Level III $55,806 · Level IV $57,075$53,248$54,517$55,806$57,075
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INLevel II $46,488 · Level III $54,059 · Level IV $61,651$38,896$46,488$54,059$61,651
Pittsburgh, PALevel II $49,088 · Level III $55,016 · Level IV $60,923$43,181$49,088$55,016$60,923

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology