How much does a metal-refining furnace operator and tender make?
The median metal-refining furnace operator and tender in the United States earns $54,430 per year, about $26.17 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all metal-refining furnace operators and tenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-4051.
Metal-refining furnace operator and tender salary range
Pay for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,200 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $74,470. The average (mean) wage of $55,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,200 | $18.85 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,080 | $22.15 | |
| Median (50th) | $54,430 | $26.17 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $62,810 | $30.20 | |
| 90th percentile | $74,470 | $35.81 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders (SOC 51-4051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Metal-refining furnace operator and tender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders earn the most in Minnesota at $75,880 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $39,610. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $75,880 | 200 |
| New Jersey | $75,020 | 150 |
| New York | $66,440 | 760 |
| Oregon | $64,410 | 400 |
| Washington | $62,850 | 330 |
| North Carolina | $60,780 | 390 |
| Utah | $60,510 | 330 |
| Arizona | $59,830 | 490 |
| Kentucky | $59,040 | 810 |
| Massachusetts | $58,480 | 240 |
| California | $58,310 | 280 |
| Indiana | $58,300 | 1,520 |
| Tennessee | $57,490 | 730 |
| Iowa | $57,030 | 330 |
| Virginia | $57,000 | 110 |
| Nevada | $56,790 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $56,290 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,910 | 1,230 |
| Missouri | $55,480 | 200 |
| Ohio | $55,080 | 1,790 |
| Alabama | $54,260 | 1,250 |
| Nebraska | $52,800 | 60 |
| Illinois | $51,020 | 590 |
| Connecticut | $50,510 | 60 |
| New Mexico | $50,260 | 60 |
| Florida | $49,780 | 700 |
| Oklahoma | $48,890 | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $48,260 | 540 |
| Georgia | $47,750 | 230 |
| Texas | $46,670 | 600 |
| New Hampshire | $46,380 | 60 |
| Michigan | $44,900 | 680 |
| Kansas | $44,800 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $44,160 | 290 |
| Arkansas | $39,920 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $39,610 | 120 |
State median wages for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders (SOC 51-4051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders
The BLS projects employment of metal-refining furnace operators and tenders to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 16,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 16,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,400 openings a year for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a metal-refining furnace operator and tender
The typical entry-level education for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a metal-refining furnace operator and tender earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Minnesota, $75,880) and the lowest (Mississippi, $39,610) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 16,780 people work as metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in the United States. At $54,430 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Metal-refining furnace operator and tender salary FAQ
How much does a metal-refining furnace operator and tender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a metal-refining furnace operator and tender is $26.17. The middle half of metal-refining furnace operators and tenders earn between $22.15 and $30.20 per hour.
What is the highest metal-refining furnace operator and tender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of metal-refining furnace operators and tenders earn more than $74,470 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a metal-refining furnace operator and tender make a year?
The median annual salary for a metal-refining furnace operator and tender is $54,430. The average (mean) wage of $55,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a metal-refining furnace operator and tender a well paid job?
At $54,430 a year, a metal-refining furnace operator and tender earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 16,780 people work as metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in the United States.
Which state pays metal-refining furnace operators and tenders the most?
Minnesota has the highest median salary for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders at $75,880 a year. New Jersey ($75,020) and New York ($66,440) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a metal-refining furnace operator and tender a good career?
Employment of metal-refining furnace operators and tenders is projected to shrink 2.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a metal-refining furnace operator and tender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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