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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Kentucky

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$59,040
Median Annual Salary
▲ +17.8% vs 2024
$56,790
Mean Salary
$59,040
Median Salary
$28.38
Hourly Rate
810 people work as Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary by percentile in Kentucky

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky.10thBottom 10% earn less than $44,670$44,67025th25% earn less than $49,220$49,220MedianHalf earn more than $59,040$59,04075th75% earn less than $63,360$63,36090thTop 10% earn more than $67,440$67,440

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky earn a median salary of $59,040 per year ($4,920/month). This is 7.8% above the national average of $54,747. Kentucky ranks #9 out of 36 states for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay. Approximately 810 people work in this occupation across Kentucky. Salaries increased by 17.8% compared to 2024.

About This Job: 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.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring
3.88
Operation and Control
3.75
Monitoring
3.62
Reading Comprehension
3.0
Active Listening
3.0

Key Knowledge Areas

Production and Processing
4.01
Mechanical
3.66
Public Safety and Security
3.2
Administration and Management
3.17
Education and Training
3.0

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky

Salaries for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky range from $44,670 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $67,440 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $49,220 and $63,360.

Median $59,040
P10: $44,670 P25: $49,220 P75: $63,360 P90: $67,440
10th
$44,670
25th
$49,220
Median
$59,040
75th
$63,360
90th
$67,440
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $44,670 $21.48 $3,722
25th Percentile $49,220 $23.66 $4,101
Median (50th) $59,040 $28.38 $4,920
75th Percentile $63,360 $30.46 $5,280
90th Percentile (Experienced) $67,440 $32.42 $5,620

Note: The mean (average) salary of $56,790 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#9
Kentucky ranks #9 of 36 states
$54,747
National avg. for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
+7.8%
vs. national average
Above Average

What does this salary really buy? See Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders take-home pay in Kentucky after taxes →

Explore Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Data in Kentucky

After-Tax Take-Home Pay Hourly Wage Breakdown Cost-of-Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Employment Outlook & Job Demand

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary by State

Compare Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

Minnesota $75,880 New Jersey $75,020 New York $66,440 Oregon $64,410 Washington $62,850 North Carolina $60,780 Utah $60,510 Arizona $59,830 Massachusetts $58,480 California $58,310

View all 50 states →

Related Careers in Kentucky

Explore similar occupations and their salaries in Kentucky.

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersSimilar $29,220 Sewing Machine OperatorsSimilar $29,460 Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSimilar $31,040 Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related MaterialsSimilar $31,200 Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom SewersSimilar $32,530 Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass FibersSimilar $33,330 BakersSimilar $33,890 Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSimilar $34,680 Butchers and Meat CuttersSimilar $35,430 Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and TendersSimilar $35,850

View all jobs in Kentucky →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?
The median annual salary for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky is $59,040 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $56,790.
What is the salary range for a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky?
Salaries for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky range from $44,670 at the 10th percentile to $67,440 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $49,220 and $63,360.
What is the starting salary for a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky?
Entry-level Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders positions in Kentucky typically start around $44,670 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $49,220 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 810 people are employed as Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky.
What is the hourly rate for a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Kentucky is approximately $28.38 per hour.

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More About Kentucky

Salary Data
All Salaries in Kentucky Average Salary in Kentucky Highest Paying Jobs in Kentucky
Salary Thresholds
Jobs Over $100K in Kentucky $100K+ Jobs Without a Degree in Kentucky
Top Cities in Kentucky
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government Lexington-Fayette urban county Bowling Green Owensboro
Top Colleges in Kentucky
Alice Lloyd College Asbury University Asbury Theological Seminary Ashland Community and Technical College

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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