Career comparison
Furnace and Kiln Operator vs. Heat Treating Operator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Heat treating operators earn more at the median ($48,750 vs. $48,040), while furnace and kiln operators usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Furnace and kiln operators run kilns, ovens, dryers and kettles that heat-treat or dry products. 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
| Furnace and Kiln Operator | Heat Treating Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $48,040 ($23.10/hr) | $48,750 ($23.44/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,960 – $69,800 | $35,180 – $66,350 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.6% (about as fast as average) | -9.5% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 1,800 | 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 | Process training | ASM heat treating courses |
| Work setting | Operators work in hot plant areas in ceramics, glass, chemical and food plants.. | Heat treaters work in hot plant areas and commercial heat treat shops.. |
What each job does
Furnace and Kiln Operator
- Load kilns and ovens
- Follow temperature profiles
- Monitor controls
- Inspect product
- Adjust settings
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, steady routines, and indoor work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose furnace and kiln operator if…
- I like process control
- I don’t mind heat
- I follow procedures
Choose heat treating operator if…
- I like how metal works
- I follow procedures
- I don’t mind heat
Still torn? Take the Furnace and Kiln Operator fit quiz and the Heat Treating Operator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, furnace and kiln operator or heat treating operator?
Heat Treating Operators earn more at the median: $48,750 versus $48,040 for furnace and kiln operators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Furnace and Kiln 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 furnace and kiln operators to grow +2.6% from 2025–35, compared with -9.5% for heat treating operators.