Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Michigan (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Michigan, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$44,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $54,430
State Rank
#32 of 36
680 employed here

How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in Michigan?

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders working in Michigan earn a median salary of $44,900 per year, or about $21.59 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $54,430 for this occupation.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $37,310 while the top 10% make $59,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,840 and $54,620 a year.

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,310$17.94
25th percentile (early career)$39,840$19.15
50th percentile (median)$44,900$21.59
75th percentile (experienced)$54,620$26.26
90th percentile (top earners)$59,140$28.43

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 32nd out of 36 states and territories for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Minnesota$75,880
2New Jersey$75,020
3New York$66,440
4Oregon$64,410
5Washington$62,850

Working as Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($44,900) 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 Michigan?
The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in Michigan is $44,900 per year, or about $21.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,310 at the entry level to $59,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders about 18% less than the national median of $54,430. Michigan ranks 32nd out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,900 a year. About 680 Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders are employed in Michigan. 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 Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.