Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders · Tennessee

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Tennessee

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $57,490 —5.6% above the national median of $54,430. That ranks TN #13 of 36 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$57,490
Median hourly
$27.64
Entry level (P10)
$37,430
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$75,470
90th percentile
Employment
730
0.2 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+5.6%
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
$37,430
$46,190
$57,490
$68,880
$37,430$57,490$75,470
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $57,490.

Employment is 2.06× as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee a strong market for this occupation.

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

All 36 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in Tennessee is $57,490, or $27.64 per hour. That is 5.6% above the national median of $54,430.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $37,430 per year ($17.99/hour). The 25th percentile is $46,190.

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

About 730 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

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

Tennessee ranks #13 of 36 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 2.06x as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee a strong market for this occupation.

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