South Dakota Median
$48,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $48,040
State Rank
#24 of 43
40 employed here
How much do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders make in South Dakota?
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in South Dakota take home a median of $48,200 annually — roughly $23.17 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $48,040.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $40,970 while the top 10% make $65,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,440 and $65,510 a year.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,970 | $19.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $42,440 | $20.40 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,200 | $23.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $65,510 | $31.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,510 | $31.50 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 24th 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 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 South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($48,200) 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 South Dakota?
The median Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary in South Dakota is $48,200 per year, or about $23.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,970 at the entry level to $65,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders about 0% more than the national median of $48,040. South Dakota ranks 24th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,200 a year. About 40 Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.