SOC 514051

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

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. Excludes "Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic" (51-4191).

National Median

$55,770

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$55,770

Entry Level (10th pct)

$38,760

Experienced (90th pct)

$80,280

Total Employed

20,330

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$38,760 - $46,550
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$46,550 - $65,070
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$65,070 - $80,280

Highest Paying Locations for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

$86,300

+54.7% vs national

Indiana

$75,630

+35.6% vs national

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

$73,500

+31.8% vs national

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

$71,740

+28.6% vs national

Utica-Rome, NY

$71,000

+27.3% vs national

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$86,300	2,240
Indiana	$75,630	3,560
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$73,500	200
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$71,740	170
Utica-Rome, NY	$71,000	240
Utah	$70,450	520
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$66,370	150
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$66,360	60
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$65,380	90
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area	$64,450	230
New York	$64,350	750
Iowa	$64,080	380
Cleveland, OH	$63,030	370
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$62,770	50
Oregon	$62,320	280
New Jersey	$62,130	50
West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$61,960	190
Reading, PA	$61,350	430
Pittsburgh, PA	$60,210	800
Pennsylvania	$60,200	2,240
Washington	$59,170	300
Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area	$58,720	110
Fort Wayne, IN	$58,550	200
California	$58,220	540
Kansas	$57,470	110
Huntsville, AL	$57,360	120
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$57,340	130
Louisiana	$57,070	150
Connecticut	$56,870	40
Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area	$56,220	100
Missouri	$56,160	260
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$55,740	220
Minnesota	$55,720	240
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$55,460	50
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$55,280	160
Arizona	$54,550	490
Illinois	$54,200	330
Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$54,110	120
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$53,870	290
Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area	$53,200	70
Youngstown-Warren, OH	$51,920	140
Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area	$51,910	110
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area	$51,600	100
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$51,460	330
Georgia	$51,400	200
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$51,400	110
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$51,400	110
Jackson, TN	$51,270	60
West Virginia	$51,150	140
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	$51,150	50

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?

The national median annual salary for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders is $55,770, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenderss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenderss is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, with a median salary of $86,300.

How much can an experienced Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make?

Top-earning Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenderss (90th percentile) make $80,280 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.