Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
SOC: 49-9045 O*NET: 49-9045.00
Median Salary
$58,540
per year
Job Growth
📉 -16.9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.
What does a Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,050
10th percentile
Early Career
$48,380
25th percentile
Median
$58,540
50th percentile
Experienced
$73,940
75th percentile
Top Earners
$81,440
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,050
25th
$48,380
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$58,540
Mean: $61,480
75th
$73,940
90th
$81,440
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $44,390 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $48,380 and $73,940
- •Salary spread is 43.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,100 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,100
Top Industries
Manufacturing57.3%
Primary Metal Manufacturing48.2%
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing40%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-16.9%
Annual Openings:100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,100
Current
2034 (Projected)900
-16.9%
-200
Employment Change
-16.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons professionals work across the United States
Showing 7 of 7 locations
Texas
160 jobs$58,3401.66x
Alabama
90 jobs$39,7406.23x
South Carolina
50 jobs$36,9703.35x
Virginia
40 jobs$71,5001.21x
Indiana
40 jobs$59,1501.84x
Michigan
30 jobs$42,6500.97x
Ohio
0 jobs$58,5400.00x
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
Repairing
86%
#3
Operation and Control
70%
#4
Equipment Maintenance
56%
#5
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Repairing
intermediate4.3
86%
Operation and Control
intermediate3.5
70%
Equipment Maintenance
basic2.8
56%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
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
Repairing
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Agricultural Equipment Operators71%
5 shared skills
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand67%
4 shared skills
Rock Splitters, Quarry60%
3 shared skills
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders57%
4 shared skills
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers57%
4 shared skills
Rail Car Repairers56%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Equipment Maintenance
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Repairing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Repairing
- ★Operation and Control
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 Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
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 Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 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
SOME 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 some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
10
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)
1
Reline or repair ladles and pouring spouts with refractory clay, using trowels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Chip slag from linings of ladles or remove linings when beyond repair, using hammers and chisels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, mortar powder, and water to form refractory clay or mortar, using shovels or mixing machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Measure furnace walls to determine dimensions and cut required number of sheets from plastic block, using saws.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Dry and bake new linings by placing inverted linings over burners, building fires in ladles, or by using blowtorches.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Remove worn or damaged plastic block refractory linings of furnaces, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Climb scaffolding, carrying hoses, and spray surfaces of cupolas with refractory mixtures, using spray equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Spread mortar on stopper heads and rods, using trowels, and slide brick sleeves over rods to form refractory jackets.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Dump and tamp clay in molds, using tamping tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Transfer clay structures to curing ovens, melting tanks, and drawing kilns, using forklifts.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •70% 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 Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
💡 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?
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons 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 Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.26
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.16
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.94
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.87
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.65
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.62
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Persistence
3.9
Self-Control
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.6
Cooperation
3.6
💡 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
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