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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$57,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $54,430
State Rank
#15 of 36
110 employed here

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

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Virginia take home a median of $57,000 annually — roughly $27.40 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $54,430.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $36,840 while the top 10% make $74,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,950 and $69,230 a year.

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,840$17.71
25th percentile (early career)$43,950$21.13
50th percentile (median)$57,000$27.40
75th percentile (experienced)$69,230$33.28
90th percentile (top earners)$74,650$35.89

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 15th 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($57,000) 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 Virginia?
The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in Virginia is $57,000 per year, or about $27.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,840 at the entry level to $74,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders about 5% more than the national median of $54,430. Virginia ranks 15th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $57,000 a year. About 110 Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.