Heat Treating Equipment Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Heat Treating Equipment Operators Make?
Heat Treating Equipment Operators earn a median annual salary of $47,450 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,260 at the 10th percentile to $64,290 at the 90th percentile — a range of $29,030. The highest-paying state is Washington at $64,040.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,260 |
| 25th percentile | $39,900 |
| Median (50th) | $47,450 |
| 75th percentile | $56,330 |
| 90th percentile | $64,290 |
Heat Treating Equipment Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $64,040 |
| Oregon | $62,200 |
| Colorado | $56,810 |
| Massachusetts | $55,340 |
| West Virginia | $55,100 |
| New York | $52,470 |
| Kentucky | $51,360 |
| Kansas | $50,890 |
| Arizona | $50,220 |
| New Hampshire | $50,170 |
| Iowa | $49,560 |
| Ohio | $49,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,250 |
| Virginia | $48,680 |
| Indiana | $48,590 |
| Mississippi | $48,360 |
| Michigan | $48,320 |
| California | $48,280 |
| Missouri | $48,070 |
| Wisconsin | $47,950 |
| Nebraska | $47,300 |
| Minnesota | $46,940 |
| Utah | $46,360 |
| South Carolina | $45,310 |
| New Jersey | $45,100 |
| Alabama | $44,720 |
| Texas | $43,910 |
| Florida | $43,780 |
| North Carolina | $43,580 |
| Illinois | $41,710 |
| Oklahoma | $41,270 |
| Georgia | $40,670 |
| Tennessee | $38,170 |
| Connecticut | $38,000 |
| Arkansas | $34,970 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Heat Treating Equipment Operators
Heat Treating Equipment Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,260 – $39,900 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$47,450 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$56,330 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $64,290+ |
How to Earn More as a Heat Treating Equipment Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Heat Treating Equipment Operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA earn $66,860 — $19,410 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($56,330) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Heat Treating Equipment Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Heat Treating Equipment Operatorthis career | $47,450 |
| Refractory Materials Repairer | $58,540 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Operator | $46,980 |
| Forging Machine Operator | $49,240 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
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SOC: 51-4191.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.