Illinois Median
$51,020
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $54,430
State Rank
#23 of 36
590 employed here
How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in Illinois?
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Illinois take home a median of $51,020 annually — roughly $24.53 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $54,430.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $44,130 while the top 10% make $63,180 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,520 and $59,350 a year.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,130 | $21.22 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,520 | $22.85 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,350 | $28.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,180 | $30.38 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 23rd out of 36 states and territories for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Minnesota $75,880New Jersey $75,020New York $66,440Oregon $64,410Washington $62,850North Carolina $60,780Utah $60,510Arizona $59,830Kentucky $59,040Massachusetts $58,480California $58,310Indiana $58,300Tennessee $57,490Iowa $57,030Virginia $57,000Nevada $56,790West Virginia $56,290Pennsylvania $55,910Missouri $55,480Ohio $55,080Alabama $54,260Nebraska $52,800Connecticut $50,510New Mexico $50,260Florida $49,780Oklahoma $48,890Wisconsin $48,260Georgia $47,750Texas $46,670New Hampshire $46,380Michigan $44,900Kansas $44,800South Carolina $44,160Arkansas $39,920Mississippi $39,610
Working as Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Illinois
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Metal-Refining Furnace 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 Illinois pay ($51,020) 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 Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in Illinois?
The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in Illinois is $51,020 per year, or about $24.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,130 at the entry level to $63,180 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders about 6% less than the national median of $54,430. Illinois ranks 23rd out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,020 a year. About 590 Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders are employed in Illinois. 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 Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Metal-Refining Furnace 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.