Kentucky Median
$75,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+57% vs US median
US median $48,040
State Rank
#2 of 43
240 employed here
How much do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Kentucky take home a median of $75,620 annually — roughly $36.36 an hour — which runs 57% above the national median of $48,040.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $52,140 while the top 10% make $83,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,220 and $81,850 a year.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,140 | $25.07 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,220 | $29.43 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $75,620 | $36.36 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,850 | $39.35 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,270 | $40.03 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 2nd 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 $77,440Illinois $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 $45,610California $45,300Texas $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 Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($75,620) 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 Kentucky?
The median Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $75,620 per year, or about $36.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,140 at the entry level to $83,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders about 57% more than the national median of $48,040. Kentucky ranks 2nd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $75,620 a year. About 240 Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders are employed in Kentucky. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.