New Mexico Median
$50,260
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $54,430
State Rank
#25 of 36
60 employed here
How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in New Mexico?
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in New Mexico take home a median of $50,260 annually — roughly $24.16 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $54,430.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $38,380 while the top 10% make $65,180 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,240 and $55,830 a year.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $43,240 | $20.79 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,260 | $24.16 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $55,830 | $26.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,180 | $31.34 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 25th 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 $52,800Illinois $51,020Connecticut $50,510Florida $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 New Mexico
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 New Mexico pay ($50,260) 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 New Mexico?
The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in New Mexico is $50,260 per year, or about $24.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,380 at the entry level to $65,180 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders about 8% less than the national median of $54,430. New Mexico ranks 25th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,260 a year. About 60 Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders are employed in New Mexico. 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 New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary report
Related salaries
$44,350
median pay · 150,000 employed
$40,140
median pay · 136,000 employed
$37,280
median pay · 14,000 employed
$48,690
median pay · 24,000 employed
$53,710
median pay · 34,000 employed
$38,180
median pay · 5,000 employed
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.