Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders earn a median $48,040 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders do
Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.6% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,800
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,585
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,978
- Medicare (1.45%)$697
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,780
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,960 | $17.29 | $31,074 |
| 25th percentile | $41,130 | $19.77 | $35,228 |
| Median (50th) | $48,040 | $23.10 | $40,780 |
| 75th percentile | $59,830 | $28.76 | $50,253 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,800 | $33.56 | $57,934 |
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $77,440 | +3.3% | $59,994 | $38,720 – $77,470 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $75,620 | +0.5% | $59,500 | $52,140 – $83,270 | 240 |
| Illinois | $62,870 | +10.0% | $49,729 | $45,620 – $73,210 | 230 |
| Kansas | $62,350 | +33.9% | $49,599 | $46,600 – $76,180 | 210 |
| Wyoming | $62,130 | −16.6% | $52,101 | $47,500 – $115,270 | 50 |
| North Dakota | $60,170 | +17.8% | $50,527 | $47,400 – $64,070 | 70 |
| Washington | $58,580 | +8.4% | $49,249 | $47,200 – $72,680 | 430 |
| Idaho | $57,690 | +2.0% | $46,585 | $49,130 – $60,850 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $56,140 | +11.8% | $45,599 | $45,100 – $64,600 | 210 |
| Colorado | $55,770 | +15.4% | $45,246 | $44,950 – $64,840 | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $53,300 | −10.8% | $42,562 | $39,050 – $72,560 | 120 |
| Montana | $53,250 | +81.6% | $43,220 | $27,600 – $60,540 | 100 |
| Vermont | $52,560 | +26.8% | $43,085 | $38,190 – $60,310 | 50 |
| New Jersey | $52,440 | −10.4% | $42,966 | $36,080 – $73,720 | 300 |
| Georgia | $50,820 | +7.7% | $40,999 | $35,000 – $72,910 | 870 |
| Oregon | $50,820 | +0.4% | $39,397 | $42,960 – $68,970 | 540 |
| Alabama | $50,600 | +3.2% | $40,572 | $38,240 – $74,710 | 1,090 |
| Virginia | $49,650 | −23.0% | $40,033 | $34,790 – $72,890 | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,610 | +3.2% | $40,519 | $37,780 – $64,480 | 410 |
| Missouri | $49,470 | −7.8% | $40,541 | $39,730 – $63,920 | 270 |
| New York | $49,280 | −8.1% | $39,712 | $40,290 – $73,080 | 490 |
| New Hampshire | $49,250 | −4.0% | $41,752 | $41,190 – $63,170 | 60 |
| Indiana | $48,770 | −6.2% | $39,957 | $42,750 – $66,050 | 650 |
| South Dakota | $48,200 | +12.1% | $40,909 | $40,970 – $65,510 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $48,170 | +3.8% | $39,151 | $36,590 – $63,840 | 300 |
| Maine | $48,060 | −1.1% | $38,734 | $36,760 – $71,700 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $47,820 | +3.2% | $39,555 | $43,720 – $64,160 | 120 |
| Michigan | $47,410 | +11.9% | $38,510 | $32,210 – $67,460 | 420 |
| Minnesota | $47,210 | −21.5% | $38,406 | $39,520 – $75,880 | 100 |
| Ohio | $46,190 | +15.3% | $38,806 | $35,810 – $63,920 | 1,580 |
| Iowa | $45,910 | −17.7% | $37,976 | $36,640 – $60,540 | 100 |
| West Virginia | $45,690 | −13.2% | $37,563 | $36,620 – $59,610 | 80 |
| Utah | $45,610 | +22.7% | $37,741 | $32,100 – $81,430 | 130 |
| California | $45,300 | +2.2% | $37,188 | $36,430 – $64,460 | 900 |
| Texas | $45,040 | +4.5% | $38,370 | $34,520 – $71,960 | 780 |
| Tennessee | $44,710 | +1.9% | $38,104 | $38,960 – $57,890 | 640 |
| Arizona | $44,530 | +10.0% | $37,055 | $36,260 – $47,010 | 140 |
| Mississippi | $44,370 | +1.6% | $36,788 | $35,360 – $52,200 | 370 |
| Arkansas | $43,560 | −4.3% | $35,694 | $34,910 – $63,730 | 150 |
| Oklahoma | $42,970 | −0.6% | $35,318 | $32,640 – $57,780 | 370 |
| Florida | $42,400 | +10.5% | $36,248 | $34,420 – $58,220 | 350 |
| Nebraska | $41,650 | −15.5% | $34,630 | $29,550 – $58,430 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $39,310 | −4.7% | $32,706 | $28,890 – $57,150 | 530 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders make?
The national median salary for furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders is $48,040 a year ($23.10 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,960 and the top 10% earn over $69,800. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $77,440.
How many furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 14,280 people work as furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders nationwide.