All About Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Example of Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator Job Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities, such as annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, removing moisture from materials, or boiling soap.
What Do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Do On a Daily Basis?
- Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
- Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
- Clean, lubricate, and adjust equipment, using scrapers, solvents, air hoses, oil, and hand tools.
- Transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, handtrucks, or hoists.
- Load equipment receptacles or conveyors with material to be processed, by hand or using hoists.
- Weigh or measure specified amounts of ingredients or materials for processing, using devices such as scales and calipers.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator?
Below is a list of the skills most Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender
- Pot Firer
- Heater Tender
- Black Ash Burner Operator
- Oil Boiler
- Coke Burner
Job Outlook for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 21,900 jobs in the United States for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender. There will be an estimated 2,000 positions for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator are Utah, Florida, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Montana, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator
The average yearly salary of a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator ranges between $25,950 and $58,890.

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders who work in West Virginia, Maryland, or Michigan, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $47,750 |
Arizona | $35,210 |
Arkansas | $42,290 |
California | $39,730 |
Colorado | $40,110 |
Connecticut | $36,050 |
Florida | $30,400 |
Georgia | $39,740 |
Idaho | $41,550 |
Illinois | $38,880 |
Indiana | $42,700 |
Iowa | $41,550 |
Kansas | $40,450 |
Kentucky | $39,840 |
Louisiana | $39,790 |
Maine | $43,640 |
Maryland | $48,310 |
Massachusetts | $44,430 |
Michigan | $45,960 |
Minnesota | $43,590 |
Mississippi | $34,500 |
Missouri | $38,840 |
Montana | $40,590 |
Nebraska | $44,650 |
Nevada | $46,020 |
New Hampshire | $42,200 |
New Jersey | $41,570 |
New York | $43,210 |
North Carolina | $40,350 |
Ohio | $36,060 |
Oklahoma | $39,520 |
Oregon | $41,730 |
Pennsylvania | $41,890 |
South Carolina | $39,200 |
South Dakota | $35,990 |
Tennessee | $38,800 |
Texas | $40,360 |
Utah | $49,360 |
Virginia | $36,640 |
Washington | $43,210 |
West Virginia | $45,470 |
Wisconsin | $36,300 |
Wyoming | $44,960 |
What Tools do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Data entry software
- Inventory tracking software
- Machine operation software
How to Become a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator
What education is needed to be a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender?

What work experience do I need to become a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator?

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Sector

Below are examples of industries where Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders work:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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