Nozzle design, water pressure, and lead angle are critical for efficient descaling. In the industry, scale removal through water jet descaling using a nozzle lead angle of 15° is considered as optimal. However, variations in scale removal efficiency were not quantified. Experiments were performed using a laboratory CNC-controlled descaling system. Low- alloy steel plates were reheated at 1065°C in an atmosphere-controlled induction furnace and then descaled using two nozzle types and three attack angles in all cases. Statistical characterization of residual oxide coverage was performed using SEM analysis in a cross-section of the plate. Recommendations to increase descaling efficiency are presented.