Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary
The median metal-refining furnace operators and tenders salary in the United States is $54,430 per year ($26.17/hour). Salaries range from $39,200 at the entry level to $74,470+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 16,780 metal-refining furnace operators and tenders jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 2.3% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$54,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.17
per hour
Employment
16,780
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$39,200
25th percentile
$46,080
Median
$54,430
75th percentile
$62,810
90th percentile
$74,470
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-2.3%
Decline
Annual Openings
2,000
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$40K$76K■ No data
Top Paying States
Minnesota
$76K
+39%
New Jersey
$75K
+38%
New York
$66K
+22%
Oregon
$64K
+18%
Washington
$63K
+15%
North Carolina
$61K
+12%
Utah
$61K
+11%
Arizona
$60K
+10%
Kentucky
$59K
+8%
Massachusetts
$58K
+7%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $75,880 | +39.4% |
| New Jersey | $75,020 | +37.8% |
| New York | $66,440 | +22.1% |
| Oregon | $64,410 | +18.3% |
| Washington | $62,850 | +15.5% |
| North Carolina | $60,780 | +11.7% |
| Utah | $60,510 | +11.2% |
| Arizona | $59,830 | +9.9% |
| Kentucky | $59,040 | +8.5% |
| Massachusetts | $58,480 | +7.4% |
Showing 1–10 of 36
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $85,370 | +56.8% |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $77,560 | +42.5% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $74,060 | +36.1% |
| Reading, PA | $68,990 | +26.7% |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $67,360 | +23.8% |
| Cleveland, OH | $65,660 | +20.6% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $63,170 | +16.1% |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $63,170 | +16.1% |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $61,780 | +13.5% |
| Huntsville, AL | $61,390 | +12.8% |
Showing 1–10 of 59
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 metal-refining furnace operators and tenders earning $54,430/year would need 1095 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1176 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how metal-refining furnace operators and tenders salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary trend (2011–2024) →