How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make?
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders earn a median annual salary of $54,430 in the United States, which works out to roughly $26.17 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $39,200 at the entry level and $74,470 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $46,080 and $62,810 a year.
That is $6,960 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary range by percentile
Half of all Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders earn between $46,080 and $62,810 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,200 | $18.85 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,080 | $22.15 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,430 | $26.17 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,810 | $30.20 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,470 | $35.80 |
Highest-paying states for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Minnesota leads the country for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay at $75,880 a year, followed by New Jersey ($75,020) and New York ($66,440). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $39,610 — a gap of $36,270 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $75,880 | $36.48 | +39% |
| 2 | New Jersey | $75,020 | $36.07 | +38% |
| 3 | New York | $66,440 | $31.94 | +22% |
| 4 | Oregon | $64,410 | $30.97 | +18% |
| 5 | Washington | $62,850 | $30.22 | +15% |
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 36 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 17,000 people work as Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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