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.
Also called: Arc and Argon Oxygen Decarburization Melter (ARC and AOD Melter), Automatic Furnace Operator, Backbreaker, Bessemer Converter Blower, Bessemer Converter Operator, Bessemer Regulator
Median pay
$54,430
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,200 – $74,470
People employed
16,780
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 2.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 3.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 6.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 7.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 8.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Long hours on your feet
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay by state
Annual median pay by state (36 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in every state →
What metal-refining furnace operators and tenders do
- 01Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
- 02Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
- 03Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
- 04Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
- 05Record production data, and maintain production logs.
- 06Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from metal-refining furnace operators and tenders
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders89% · −12%
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders86% · +7%
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers86% · +13%
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders85% · −5%
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators84% · +42%
Change into metal-refining furnace operators and tenders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders90% · $48,040
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders86% · $58,040
- Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders86% · $41,330
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers85% · $61,770
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons85% · $61,290