Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders · Wisconsin

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Wisconsin

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Wisconsin earn a median annual wage of $48,260 —11.3% below the national median of $54,430. That ranks WI #28 of 36 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$48,260
Median hourly
$23.20
Entry level (P10)
$43,930
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$61,640
90th percentile
Employment
540
0.2 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-11.3%
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
$43,930
$46,270
$48,260
$55,960
$43,930$48,260$61,640
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $48,260.

Employment is 1.71× as concentrated as the national average, making Wisconsin a strong market for this occupation.

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

All 36 states ranked by median annual wage. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Wisconsin.

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in Wisconsin is $48,260, or $23.20 per hour. That is 11.3% below the national median of $54,430.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $43,930 per year ($21.12/hour). The 25th percentile is $46,270.

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

About 540 people work in this occupation in Wisconsin, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

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

Wisconsin ranks #28 of 36 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.71x as concentrated as the national average, making Wisconsin 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