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.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
SOC: 51-4051 O*NET: 51-4051.00
Median Salary
$55,770
per year
Job Growth
📉 -2.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,760
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,550
25th percentile
Median
$55,770
50th percentile
Experienced
$65,070
75th percentile
Top Earners
$80,280
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,760
25th
$46,550
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$55,770
Mean: $57,290
75th
$65,070
90th
$80,280
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $41,520 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,550 and $65,070
- •Salary spread is 33.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 20,330 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:20,800
Top Industries
Manufacturing97.7%
Primary Metal Manufacturing84.8%
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing32.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-2.3%
Annual Openings:2,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)20,800
Current
2034 (Projected)20,300
-2.3%
-500
Employment Change
-2.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 39 locations
Indiana
3,560 jobs$75,6308.47x
Pennsylvania
2,240 jobs$60,2002.82x
Ohio
2,240 jobs$50,7903.08x
Tennessee
1,190 jobs$49,8102.75x
Alabama
910 jobs$47,5203.32x
Michigan
860 jobs$46,2901.49x
New York
750 jobs$64,3500.60x
Kentucky
690 jobs$50,1002.63x
Florida
620 jobs$48,9800.48x
Wisconsin
590 jobs$47,9801.53x
Texas
560 jobs$45,1700.31x
California
540 jobs$58,2200.23x
Utah
520 jobs$70,4502.33x
Arizona
490 jobs$54,5501.17x
Arkansas
430 jobs$40,2202.51x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
92%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Speaking
78%
#5
Reading Comprehension
70%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
62%
#7
Active Listening
56%
#8
Quality Control Analysis
48%
#9
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate3.9
78%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.5
70%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.1
62%
Active Listening
basic2.8
56%
Quality Control Analysis
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance62%
abilities
3.1/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic100%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators90%
5 shared skills
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators90%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers89%
5 shared skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders89%
5 shared skills
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (1)Training & Development (1)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Drain, transfer, or remove molten metal from furnaces, and place it into molds, using hoists, pumps, or ladles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Record production data, and maintain production logs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.25
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.18
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.97
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.91
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.88
Analytical Thinking
ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level3.83
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Self-Control
4.0
Independence
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.8
Integrity
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Concern for Others
3.5
Initiative
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders.
Browse Training Programs →