Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $54,430/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -2.3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 2,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
• Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
• Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
• Record production data, and maintain production logs.
• Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
• Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.
• Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
• Drain, transfer, or remove molten metal from furnaces, and place it into molds, using hoists, pumps, or ladles.
What's the median pay for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
The median pay for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders is $54,430 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
Employment for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders is projected to change -2.3% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
About 2,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.