Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary
The median furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders salary in the United States is $48,040 per year ($23.10/hour). Salaries range from $35,960 at the entry level to $69,800+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 14,280 furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$48,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.10
per hour
Employment
14,280
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$35,960
25th percentile
$41,130
Median
$48,040
75th percentile
$59,830
90th percentile
$69,800
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+3%
As fast as average
Annual Openings
1,900
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$39K$77K■ No data
Top Paying States
Maryland
$77K
+61%
Kentucky
$76K
+57%
Illinois
$63K
+31%
Kansas
$62K
+30%
Wyoming
$62K
+29%
North Dakota
$60K
+25%
Washington
$59K
+22%
Idaho
$58K
+20%
Wisconsin
$56K
+17%
Colorado
$56K
+16%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $77,440 | +61.2% |
| Kentucky | $75,620 | +57.4% |
| Illinois | $62,870 | +30.9% |
| Kansas | $62,350 | +29.8% |
| Wyoming | $62,130 | +29.3% |
| North Dakota | $60,170 | +25.2% |
| Washington | $58,580 | +21.9% |
| Idaho | $57,690 | +20.1% |
| Wisconsin | $56,140 | +16.9% |
| Colorado | $55,770 | +16.1% |
Showing 1–10 of 43
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $81,840 | +70.4% |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $81,530 | +69.7% |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $77,440 | +61.2% |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $69,070 | +43.8% |
| Savannah, GA | $66,390 | +38.2% |
| Vineland, NJ | $62,910 | +31.0% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $61,500 | +28.0% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,160 | +25.2% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $58,670 | +22.1% |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,460 | +21.7% |
Showing 1–10 of 69
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders earning $48,040/year would need 1241 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1332 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary trend (2011–2024) →