What You Need to Know About Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender
Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender Definition 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.
Daily Life Of a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender
- Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
- Observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur.
- Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
- Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
- Direct work crews in the cleaning and repair of furnace walls and flooring.
- Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
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What a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender Should Know
When polled, Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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.
Types of Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender Jobs
- Electric Furnace Operator
- Oil Burner
- Pull Up Hand
- Furnace Hand
- Pot Feeder
Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 17,700 jobs in the United States for Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender. 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.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender 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 different U.S. states?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
How do I Become a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender?
Learn what Metal-Refining Furnace Operator or Tender education requirements there are.

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

Where 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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