Tennessee Median
$44,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $48,040
State Rank
#36 of 43
640 employed here
How much do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders make in Tennessee?
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $44,710 per year, or about $21.50 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $48,040 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $38,960 while the top 10% make $57,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,640 and $49,180 a year.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,960 | $18.73 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $42,640 | $20.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,710 | $21.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,180 | $23.64 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,890 | $27.83 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 36th 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 $45,610California $45,300Texas $45,040Arizona $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($44,710) 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 Tennessee?
The median Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary in Tennessee is $44,710 per year, or about $21.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,960 at the entry level to $57,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders about 7% less than the national median of $48,040. Tennessee ranks 36th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,710 a year. About 640 Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.