Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender Salary
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders earn a median $54,430 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What metal-refining furnace operators and tenders do
Operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel.
- 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
- -2.9% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 1,400
Employment of metal-refining furnace operators and tenders is projected to shrink 2.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,400 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.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,352
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,375
- Medicare (1.45%)$789
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$45,915
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,200 | $18.85 | $33,677 |
| 25th percentile | $46,080 | $22.15 | $39,205 |
| Median (50th) | $54,430 | $26.17 | $45,915 |
| 75th percentile | $62,810 | $30.20 | $52,648 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,470 | $35.80 | $61,220 |
Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $75,880 | +36.2% | $58,575 | $44,550 – $79,070 | 200 |
| New Jersey | $75,020 | +20.7% | $59,009 | $53,100 – $79,110 | 150 |
| New York | $66,440 | +3.2% | $52,574 | $46,840 – $81,650 | 760 |
| Oregon | $64,410 | +3.4% | $49,127 | $46,020 – $84,070 | 400 |
| Washington | $62,850 | +6.2% | $52,680 | $48,690 – $92,050 | 330 |
| North Carolina | $60,780 | +39.0% | $49,100 | $40,350 – $74,470 | 390 |
| Utah | $60,510 | −14.1% | $49,043 | $45,190 – $78,760 | 330 |
| Arizona | $59,830 | +9.7% | $48,966 | $45,180 – $76,480 | 490 |
| Kentucky | $59,040 | +17.8% | $47,670 | $44,670 – $67,440 | 810 |
| Massachusetts | $58,480 | +20.6% | $46,465 | $45,140 – $75,310 | 240 |
| California | $58,310 | +0.2% | $46,726 | $46,940 – $72,460 | 280 |
| Indiana | $58,300 | −22.9% | $47,334 | $42,190 – $65,420 | 1,520 |
| Tennessee | $57,490 | +15.4% | $48,373 | $37,430 – $75,470 | 730 |
| Iowa | $57,030 | −11.0% | $46,488 | $44,090 – $62,660 | 330 |
| Virginia | $57,000 | +23.6% | $45,516 | $36,840 – $74,650 | 110 |
| Nevada | $56,790 | +12.3% | $47,811 | $40,590 – $79,020 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $56,290 | +10.0% | $45,609 | $39,910 – $72,120 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,910 | −7.1% | $45,387 | $39,410 – $70,010 | 1,230 |
| Missouri | $55,480 | −1.2% | $45,088 | $51,250 – $65,120 | 200 |
| Ohio | $55,080 | +8.4% | $45,704 | $40,010 – $71,080 | 1,790 |
| Alabama | $54,260 | +14.2% | $43,330 | $36,130 – $79,780 | 1,250 |
| Nebraska | $52,800 | +12.9% | $43,082 | $39,480 – $67,070 | 60 |
| Illinois | $51,020 | −5.9% | $40,794 | $44,130 – $63,180 | 590 |
| Connecticut | $50,510 | −11.2% | $41,417 | $37,830 – $67,110 | 60 |
| New Mexico | $50,260 | +9.3% | $41,367 | $38,380 – $65,180 | 60 |
| Florida | $49,780 | +1.6% | $42,178 | $38,260 – $60,790 | 700 |
| Oklahoma | $48,890 | +6.7% | $39,809 | $38,460 – $57,190 | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $48,260 | +0.6% | $39,615 | $43,930 – $61,640 | 540 |
| Georgia | $47,750 | −7.1% | $38,692 | $36,230 – $60,150 | 230 |
| Texas | $46,670 | +3.3% | $39,679 | $38,250 – $73,930 | 600 |
| New Hampshire | $46,380 | −1.2% | $39,446 | $39,100 – $62,320 | 60 |
| Michigan | $44,900 | −3.0% | $36,600 | $37,310 – $59,140 | 680 |
| Kansas | $44,800 | −22.0% | $36,477 | $36,480 – $55,360 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $44,160 | +11.0% | $36,170 | $37,060 – $70,940 | 290 |
| Arkansas | $39,920 | −0.7% | $32,912 | $34,920 – $61,880 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $39,610 | +3.2% | $33,154 | $35,860 – $56,910 | 120 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a metal-refining furnace operator and tender make?
The national median salary for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders is $54,430 a year ($26.17 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,200 and the top 10% earn over $74,470. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays metal-refining furnace operators and tenders the most?
Minnesota has the highest median pay at $75,880.
How many metal-refining furnace operators and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 16,780 people work as metal-refining furnace operators and tenders nationwide.