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Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Texas
Considering working as a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Texas? Here’s what you need to know. 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 Make in Texas?
For furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders working in Texas, wages run about $43,080 per year (or roughly $20.71/hour).Annual wages span from $28,830 at the 10th percentile to $66,450 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,830 | $13.86 |
| 25th percentile | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Median (50th) | $43,080 | $20.71 |
| 75th percentile | $53,440 | $25.69 |
| 90th percentile | $66,450 | $31.95 |
The job concentration index in Texas nationwide is 0.63, suggesting fewer furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders earn a median of $66,383 per year ($31.92/hour), below the Texas median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 535,060 furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders in the U.S.. In Texas alone, approximately 920 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 270 furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders.
Top Texas Metros for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
The metro areas below employ the most furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders in Texas.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 330 | $48,190 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 170 | $41,820 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 70 | $38,190 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 60 | $41,040 |
Top States for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Employment
The table below shows the states where the most furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Ohio | 1,210 |
| California | 1,100 |
| Alabama | 1,100 |
| Texas | 920 |
| North Carolina | 770 |
| Georgia | 730 |
| Indiana | 720 |
| New York | 670 |
| Washington | 600 |
| Tennessee | 530 |
| Michigan | 520 |
| New Jersey | 480 |
| Oregon | 470 |
| Illinois | 470 |
| Pennsylvania | 450 |
| Wisconsin | 430 |
| South Carolina | 420 |
| Mississippi | 370 |
| Florida | 360 |
| Oklahoma | 340 |
Highest-Paying States for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
These states pay the most for furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | $75,220 |
| Maryland | $75,000 |
| Wyoming | $74,530 |
| Nevada | $66,800 |
| Virginia | $64,510 |
| Minnesota | $60,130 |
| Massachusetts | $59,760 |
| New Jersey | $58,510 |
| Illinois | $57,140 |
| Idaho | $56,540 |
Skills
Top furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
- Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
- Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
- Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
- Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
- Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, handtrucks, or hoists.
- Stop equipment and clear blockages or jams, using fingers, wire, or hand tools.
- Load equipment receptacles or conveyors with material to be processed, by hand or using hoists.
- Remove products from equipment, manually or using hoists, and prepare them for storage, shipment, or additional processing.
- Calculate amounts of materials to be loaded into furnaces, adjusting amounts as necessary for specific conditions.
- Melt or refine metal before casting, calculating required temperatures, and observe metal color, adjusting controls as necessary to maintain required temperatures.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Processing Information
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Careers similar to furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders include:
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Also Known As
Ager Operator, Annealer, Annealing Operator, Autoclave Operator, Automated Process Operator, Back Tender, Backing-in Machine Tender, Ballman, Base Draw Operator, Batch and Furnace Operator, Beehive Kiln Charcoal Burner, Black Ash Burner Operator, Black Mill Operator, Boiler, Boiler Attendant.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-9051.00