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Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender

What You Need to Know About Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender

Job Description: 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.

Life As a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender

  • Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
  • Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
  • Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.
  • Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
  • Record production data, and maintain production logs.
  • Observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur.

Skills Needed to be a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender

Below is a list of the skills most Metal-Refining Furnace 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.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

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.

Types of Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender Jobs

  • Smelter
  • Blast Furnace Tender
  • Hot Metal Charger
  • Burner Tender
  • Foundry Worker Apprentice

Job Outlook for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

There were about 17,700 jobs for Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender. There will be an estimated 1,500 positions for Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender are Florida, Nevada, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Idaho, Utah, or North Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender

The typical yearly salary for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders is somewhere between $25,240 and $60,820.

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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders who work in Oregon, Utah, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.

How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $37,070
Arizona $48,320
Arkansas $40,340
California $41,250
Colorado $42,300
Connecticut $42,460
Florida $37,470
Georgia $30,240
Illinois $46,100
Indiana $41,230
Iowa $43,340
Kentucky $44,100
Louisiana $44,960
Massachusetts $50,210
Michigan $39,420
Minnesota $43,740
Mississippi $38,700
Missouri $44,240
Nebraska $34,690
Nevada $50,670
New Hampshire $42,770
New Jersey $47,870
New Mexico $34,440
New York $45,410
North Carolina $51,670
Ohio $37,780
Oklahoma $41,740
Oregon $56,170
Pennsylvania $46,440
Rhode Island $39,130
South Carolina $41,450
Tennessee $40,380
Texas $39,910
Utah $54,190
Virginia $50,720
Washington $44,230
West Virginia $24,390
Wisconsin $38,710

What Tools do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office

How to Become a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender

What education or degrees do I need to become a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender?

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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Sector

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The table below shows the approximate number of Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders employed by various industries.

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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