California Median
$45,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $48,040
State Rank
#34 of 43
900 employed here
How much do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders make in California?
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders working in California earn a median salary of $45,300 per year, or about $21.78 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $48,040 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $36,430 while the top 10% make $64,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,440 and $54,910 a year.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,430 | $17.51 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,300 | $21.78 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $54,910 | $26.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,460 | $30.99 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 34th out of 43 states and territories for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Maryland $77,440Kentucky $75,620Illinois $62,870Kansas $62,350Wyoming $62,130North Dakota $60,170Washington $58,580Idaho $57,690Wisconsin $56,140Colorado $55,770Massachusetts $53,300Montana $53,250Vermont $52,560New Jersey $52,440Georgia $50,820Oregon $50,820Alabama $50,600Virginia $49,650Pennsylvania $49,610Missouri $49,470New York $49,280New Hampshire $49,250Indiana $48,770South Dakota $48,200South Carolina $48,170Maine $48,060Louisiana $47,820Michigan $47,410Minnesota $47,210Ohio $46,190Iowa $45,910West Virginia $45,690Utah $45,610Texas $45,040Tennessee $44,710Arizona $44,530Mississippi $44,370Arkansas $43,560Oklahoma $42,970Florida $42,400Nebraska $41,650North Carolina $39,310
Working as Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in California
Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($45,300) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders make in California?
The median Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary in California is $45,300 per year, or about $21.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,430 at the entry level to $64,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders about 6% less than the national median of $48,040. California ranks 34th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $45,300 a year. About 900 Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.