Career comparison
Forging Machine Operator vs. Heat Treating Operator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Forging machine operators earn more at the median ($49,030 vs. $48,750), while forging machine operators usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Forging machine operators shape hot metal with presses and hammers to make strong parts. Heat treating operators heat and cool metal parts to make them harder, tougher or easier to machine.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Forging Machine Operator | Heat Treating Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,030 ($23.57/hr) | $48,750 ($23.44/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,800 – $68,720 | $35,180 – $66,350 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -17.2% (a projected decline) | -9.5% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 600 | 1,100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few months on the job | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | Forging training | ASM heat treating courses |
| Work setting | Operators work in hot, loud forge shops.. | Heat treaters work in hot plant areas and commercial heat treat shops.. |
What each job does
Forging Machine Operator
- Set up forging dies
- Heat billets
- Operate presses and hammers
- Trim flash
- Inspect parts
Heat Treating Operator
- Load furnaces
- Set cycles
- Quench parts
- Temper and anneal
- Test hardness
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, shift work, and indoor work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose forging machine operator if…
- I like heavy industry
- I don’t mind heat
- I’m safety-focused
Choose heat treating operator if…
- I like how metal works
- I follow procedures
- I don’t mind heat
Still torn? Take the Forging Machine Operator fit quiz and the Heat Treating Operator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, forging machine operator or heat treating operator?
Forging Machine Operators earn more at the median: $49,030 versus $48,750 for heat treating operators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Forging Machine Operators typically train faster (A few months on the job) than heat treating operators (A few months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects heat treating operators to grow -9.5% from 2025–35, compared with -17.2% for forging machine operators.