Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders is $48,040, or $23.10 per hour. About 14,280 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $77,440 in Maryland to $39,310 in North Carolina.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 43 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $77,440 | $37.23 | 100 | 0.38 |
| 2 | Kentucky | $75,620 | $36.36 | 240 | 1.32 |
| 3 | Illinois | $62,870 | $30.23 | 230 | 0.41 |
| 4 | Kansas | $62,350 | $29.98 | 210 | 1.56 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $62,130 | $29.87 | 50 | 1.87 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $60,170 | $28.93 | 70 | 1.66 |
| 7 | Washington | $58,580 | $28.17 | 430 | 1.31 |
| 8 | Idaho | $57,690 | $27.74 | 120 | 1.49 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $56,140 | $26.99 | 210 | 0.77 |
| 10 | Colorado | $55,770 | $26.81 | 100 | 0.36 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $53,300 | $25.63 | 120 | 0.36 |
| 12 | Montana | $53,250 | $25.60 | 100 | 2.11 |
| 13 | Vermont | $52,560 | $25.27 | 50 | 1.83 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $52,440 | $25.21 | 300 | 0.77 |
| 15 | Oregon | $50,820 | $24.44 | 540 | 2.99 |
| 16 | Georgia | $50,820 | $24.43 | 870 | 1.93 |
| 17 | Alabama | $50,600 | $24.33 | 1,090 | 5.63 |
| 18 | Virginia | $49,650 | $23.87 | 260 | 0.70 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $49,610 | $23.85 | 410 | 0.74 |
| 20 | Missouri | $49,470 | $23.78 | 270 | 1.01 |
| 21 | New York | $49,280 | $23.69 | 490 | 0.55 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $49,250 | $23.68 | 60 | 0.93 |
| 23 | Indiana | $48,770 | $23.45 | 650 | 2.23 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $48,200 | $23.17 | 40 | 1.02 |
| 25 | South Carolina | $48,170 | $23.16 | 300 | 1.41 |
| 26 | Maine | $48,060 | $23.11 | 70 | 1.27 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $47,820 | $22.99 | 120 | 0.69 |
| 28 | Michigan | $47,410 | $22.79 | 420 | 1.03 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $47,210 | $22.70 | 100 | 0.36 |
| 30 | Ohio | $46,190 | $22.21 | 1,580 | 3.10 |
| 31 | Iowa | $45,910 | $22.07 | 100 | 0.71 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $45,690 | $21.97 | 80 | 1.29 |
| 33 | Utah | $45,610 | $21.93 | 130 | 0.79 |
| 34 | California | $45,300 | $21.78 | 900 | 0.54 |
| 35 | Texas | $45,040 | $21.66 | 780 | 0.61 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $44,710 | $21.49 | 640 | 2.14 |
| 37 | Arizona | $44,530 | $21.41 | 140 | 0.47 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $44,370 | $21.33 | 370 | 3.43 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $43,560 | $20.94 | 150 | 1.22 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $42,970 | $20.66 | 370 | 2.36 |
| 41 | Florida | $42,400 | $20.39 | 350 | 0.38 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $41,650 | $20.02 | 100 | 1.10 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $39,310 | $18.90 | 530 | 1.17 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders make?
The median annual wage for furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders in the United States is $48,040, or $23.10 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $35,960, and the top 10% earn $69,800.
How many furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders are employed in the U.S.?
About 14,280 people work as furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders nationwide.
Which state pays furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders the most?
Maryland pays the most at a median of $77,440, followed by Kentucky ($75,620) and Illinois ($62,870).
Which state pays furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders the least?
North Carolina has the lowest median at $39,310.
Where are furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is Alabama at 5.63×.