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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$62,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+15% vs US median
US median $54,430
State Rank
#5 of 36
330 employed here

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

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Washington take home a median of $62,850 annually — roughly $30.22 an hour — which runs 15% above the national median of $54,430.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $48,690 while the top 10% make $92,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,480 and $85,370 a year.

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,690$23.41
25th percentile (early career)$49,480$23.79
50th percentile (median)$62,850$30.22
75th percentile (experienced)$85,370$41.04
90th percentile (top earners)$92,050$44.25

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 5th 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($62,850) 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 Washington?
The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in Washington is $62,850 per year, or about $30.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,690 at the entry level to $92,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders about 15% more than the national median of $54,430. Washington ranks 5th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,850 a year. About 330 Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.