Kentucky Median
$59,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $54,430
State Rank
#9 of 36
810 employed here
How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $59,040 per year, or about $28.38 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $54,430 for this occupation.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $44,670 while the top 10% make $67,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,220 and $63,360 a year.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,670 | $21.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,220 | $23.66 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,040 | $28.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,360 | $30.46 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,440 | $32.42 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 9th 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 $59,830Massachusetts $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 $52,800Illinois $51,020Connecticut $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 Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($59,040) 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 Kentucky?
The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $59,040 per year, or about $28.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,670 at the entry level to $67,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders about 8% more than the national median of $54,430. Kentucky ranks 9th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $59,040 a year. About 810 Metal-Refining Furnace 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 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.