Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders · North Carolina

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in North Carolina

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $60,780 —11.7% above the national median of $54,430. That ranks NC #6 of 36 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$60,780
Median hourly
$29.22
Entry level (P10)
$40,350
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$74,470
90th percentile
Employment
390
0.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+11.7%
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
$40,350
$44,930
$60,780
$61,780
$40,350$60,780$74,470
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $60,780.

Employment is only 0.73× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.

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

All 36 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina 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 North Carolina

Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in North Carolina is $60,780, or $29.22 per hour. That is 11.7% above the national median of $54,430.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $40,350 per year ($19.40/hour). The 25th percentile is $44,930.

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

About 390 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

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

North Carolina ranks #6 of 36 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.73x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.

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