Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders · Illinois

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Illinois

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Illinois earn a median annual wage of $51,020 —6.3% below the national median of $54,430. That ranks IL #23 of 36 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$51,020
Median hourly
$24.53
Entry level (P10)
$44,130
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$63,180
90th percentile
Employment
590
0.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-6.3%
U.S. $54,430

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$44,130
$47,520
$51,020
$59,350
$44,130$51,020$63,180
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $51,020.

Employment concentration (0.90×) is close to the national average.

Highest-paying states for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders

All 36 states ranked by median annual wage. Illinois is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Minnesota$75,880$36.482000.63
2New Jersey$75,020$36.071500.32
3New York$66,440$31.947600.72
4Oregon$64,410$30.974001.89
5Washington$62,850$30.223300.86
6North Carolina$60,780$29.223900.73
7Utah$60,510$29.093301.77
8Arizona$59,830$28.764901.40
9Kentucky$59,040$28.388103.75
10Massachusetts$58,480$28.112400.60

Related occupations in Illinois

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Illinois.

Frequently asked questions

How much do metal-refining furnace operators and tenders make in Illinois?

The median annual wage for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in Illinois is $51,020, or $24.53 per hour. That is 6.3% below the national median of $54,430.

What is the entry-level metal-refining furnace operators and tenders salary in Illinois?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $44,130 per year ($21.22/hour). The 25th percentile is $47,520.

How many people work as metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in Illinois?

About 590 people work in this occupation in Illinois, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Illinois a good state for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders?

Illinois ranks #23 of 36 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.90x) is close to the national average.

Which state pays metal-refining furnace operators and tenders the most?

Minnesota has the highest median wage at $75,880 per year, followed by New Jersey ($75,020) and New York ($66,440).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes