Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary by State
The national median pay for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders is $54,430 a year. By state, it ranges from $39,610 in Mississippi to $75,880 in Minnesota.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $39,200
- 25th percentile
- $46,080
- Median
- $54,430
- 75th percentile
- $62,810
- Top 10%
- $74,470
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 16,780 jobs.
Median pay in 36 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $75,880 | +39% | $44,550 | $79,070 | 200 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $75,020 | +38% | $53,100 | $79,110 | 150 |
| 3 | New York | $66,440 | +22% | $46,840 | $81,650 | 760 |
| 4 | Oregon | $64,410 | +18% | $46,020 | $84,070 | 400 |
| 5 | Washington | $62,850 | +15% | $48,690 | $92,050 | 330 |
| 6 | North Carolina | $60,780 | +12% | $40,350 | $74,470 | 390 |
| 7 | Utah | $60,510 | +11% | $45,190 | $78,760 | 330 |
| 8 | Arizona | $59,830 | +10% | $45,180 | $76,480 | 490 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $59,040 | +8% | $44,670 | $67,440 | 810 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $58,480 | +7% | $45,140 | $75,310 | 240 |
| 11 | California | $58,310 | +7% | $46,940 | $72,460 | 280 |
| 12 | Indiana | $58,300 | +7% | $42,190 | $65,420 | 1,520 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $57,490 | +6% | $37,430 | $75,470 | 730 |
| 14 | Iowa | $57,030 | +5% | $44,090 | $62,660 | 330 |
| 15 | Virginia | $57,000 | +5% | $36,840 | $74,650 | 110 |
| 16 | Nevada | $56,790 | +4% | $40,590 | $79,020 | 130 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $56,290 | +3% | $39,910 | $72,120 | 70 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $55,910 | +3% | $39,410 | $70,010 | 1,230 |
| 19 | Missouri | $55,480 | +2% | $51,250 | $65,120 | 200 |
| 20 | Ohio | $55,080 | +1% | $40,010 | $71,080 | 1,790 |
| 21 | Alabama | $54,260 | 0% | $36,130 | $79,780 | 1,250 |
| 22 | Nebraska | $52,800 | −3% | $39,480 | $67,070 | 60 |
| 23 | Illinois | $51,020 | −6% | $44,130 | $63,180 | 590 |
| 24 | Connecticut | $50,510 | −7% | $37,830 | $67,110 | 60 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $50,260 | −8% | $38,380 | $65,180 | 60 |
| 26 | Florida | $49,780 | −9% | $38,260 | $60,790 | 700 |
| 27 | Oklahoma | $48,890 | −10% | $38,460 | $57,190 | 110 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $48,260 | −11% | $43,930 | $61,640 | 540 |
| 29 | Georgia | $47,750 | −12% | $36,230 | $60,150 | 230 |
| 30 | Texas | $46,670 | −14% | $38,250 | $73,930 | 600 |
| 31 | New Hampshire | $46,380 | −15% | $39,100 | $62,320 | 60 |
| 32 | Michigan | $44,900 | −18% | $37,310 | $59,140 | 680 |
| 33 | Kansas | $44,800 | −18% | $36,480 | $55,360 | 100 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $44,160 | −19% | $37,060 | $70,940 | 290 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $39,920 | −27% | $34,920 | $61,880 | 490 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $39,610 | −27% | $35,860 | $56,910 | 120 |
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.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary questions
Which state pays metal-refining furnace operators and tenders the most?
Minnesota, with a median of $75,880 a year (+39% vs. the national median of $54,430). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays metal-refining furnace operators and tenders the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $39,610 a year (−27% vs. national).
Where do most metal-refining furnace operators and tenders work?
Ohio has the most jobs, about 1,790, with a median of $55,080.
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.