Life As a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender
Occupation Description 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.
Life As a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator
- Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
- Melt or refine metal before casting, calculating required temperatures, and observe metal color, adjusting controls as necessary to maintain required temperatures.
- Stop equipment and clear blockages or jams, using fingers, wire, or hand tools.
- Weigh or measure specified amounts of ingredients or materials for processing, using devices such as scales and calipers.
- Sprinkle chemicals on the surface of molten metal to bring impurities to surface and remove impurities, using strainers.
- Transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, handtrucks, or hoists.
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Qualities of a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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 Jobs
- Drier Feeder
- Package Yarns Drying Machine Operator
- Batch and Furnace Manager
- Pigment Furnace Tender
- Drier Tender
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator Employment Estimates
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,000 job openings in this field each 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 typical yearly salary for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders is somewhere 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.
How much do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders make in each U.S. state?
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
Becoming a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator
What education is needed to be a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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