Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary by State
Also called: Furnace, Kiln, and Kettle Operators
The national median pay for furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders is $48,040 a year. By state, it ranges from $39,310 in North Carolina to $77,440 in Maryland.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $35,960
- 25th percentile
- $41,130
- Median
- $48,040
- 75th percentile
- $59,830
- Top 10%
- $69,800
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 14,280 jobs.
Median pay in 43 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $77,440 | +61% | $38,720 | $77,470 | 100 |
| 2 | Kentucky | $75,620 | +57% | $52,140 | $83,270 | 240 |
| 3 | Illinois | $62,870 | +31% | $45,620 | $73,210 | 230 |
| 4 | Kansas | $62,350 | +30% | $46,600 | $76,180 | 210 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $62,130 | +29% | $47,500 | $115,270 | 50 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $60,170 | +25% | $47,400 | $64,070 | 70 |
| 7 | Washington | $58,580 | +22% | $47,200 | $72,680 | 430 |
| 8 | Idaho | $57,690 | +20% | $49,130 | $60,850 | 120 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $56,140 | +17% | $45,100 | $64,600 | 210 |
| 10 | Colorado | $55,770 | +16% | $44,950 | $64,840 | 100 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $53,300 | +11% | $39,050 | $72,560 | 120 |
| 12 | Montana | $53,250 | +11% | $27,600 | $60,540 | 100 |
| 13 | Vermont | $52,560 | +9% | $38,190 | $60,310 | 50 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $52,440 | +9% | $36,080 | $73,720 | 300 |
| 15 | Georgia | $50,820 | +6% | $35,000 | $72,910 | 870 |
| 16 | Oregon | $50,820 | +6% | $42,960 | $68,970 | 540 |
| 17 | Alabama | $50,600 | +5% | $38,240 | $74,710 | 1,090 |
| 18 | Virginia | $49,650 | +3% | $34,790 | $72,890 | 260 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $49,610 | +3% | $37,780 | $64,480 | 410 |
| 20 | Missouri | $49,470 | +3% | $39,730 | $63,920 | 270 |
| 21 | New York | $49,280 | +3% | $40,290 | $73,080 | 490 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $49,250 | +3% | $41,190 | $63,170 | 60 |
| 23 | Indiana | $48,770 | +2% | $42,750 | $66,050 | 650 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $48,200 | 0% | $40,970 | $65,510 | 40 |
| 25 | South Carolina | $48,170 | 0% | $36,590 | $63,840 | 300 |
| 26 | Maine | $48,060 | 0% | $36,760 | $71,700 | 70 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $47,820 | 0% | $43,720 | $64,160 | 120 |
| 28 | Michigan | $47,410 | −1% | $32,210 | $67,460 | 420 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $47,210 | −2% | $39,520 | $75,880 | 100 |
| 30 | Ohio | $46,190 | −4% | $35,810 | $63,920 | 1,580 |
| 31 | Iowa | $45,910 | −4% | $36,640 | $60,540 | 100 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $45,690 | −5% | $36,620 | $59,610 | 80 |
| 33 | Utah | $45,610 | −5% | $32,100 | $81,430 | 130 |
| 34 | California | $45,300 | −6% | $36,430 | $64,460 | 900 |
| 35 | Texas | $45,040 | −6% | $34,520 | $71,960 | 780 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $44,710 | −7% | $38,960 | $57,890 | 640 |
| 37 | Arizona | $44,530 | −7% | $36,260 | $47,010 | 140 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $44,370 | −8% | $35,360 | $52,200 | 370 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $43,560 | −9% | $34,910 | $63,730 | 150 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $42,970 | −11% | $32,640 | $57,780 | 370 |
| 41 | Florida | $42,400 | −12% | $34,420 | $58,220 | 350 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $41,650 | −13% | $29,550 | $58,430 | 100 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $39,310 | −18% | $28,890 | $57,150 | 530 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary questions
Which state pays furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders the most?
Maryland, with a median of $77,440 a year (+61% vs. the national median of $48,040). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders the least?
North Carolina, with a median of $39,310 a year (−18% vs. national).
Where do most furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders work?
Ohio has the most jobs, about 1,580, with a median of $46,190.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.