What Do Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender Do?
Job Description & Duties 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.
What Do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Do On a Daily Basis?
- Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.
- Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
- Direct work crews in the cleaning and repair of furnace walls and flooring.
- Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
- Kindle fires, and shovel fuel and other materials into furnaces or onto conveyors by hand, with hoists, or by directing crane operators.
- Sprinkle chemicals over molten metal to bring impurities to the surface.
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Skills Needed to be a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender
These are the skills Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Other Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender Job Titles
- Converter
- Ore Smelter
- Sinter Machine Operator
- Residue Furnace Operator
- Retort Fireman
Is There Job Demand 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. The BLS estimates 1,500 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Average Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary
The salary for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders ranges between about $25,240 and $60,820 a year.

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 do I Become a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender?
What kind of Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender?

Where do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Work?

Below are examples of industries where Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders work:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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