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Occupation · SOC 51-9051

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders

There are 14,280 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $48,040 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
14,280
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$48,040
Median pay a year
Middle half: $41,130–$59,830
1,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.6%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 69 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $38,900 · LCA filings 0380$38,9000
Birmingham, ALMedian pay $57,220 · LCA filings 0290$57,2200
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INMedian pay $46,680 · LCA filings 0270$46,6800
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $49,170 · LCA filings 0270$49,1700
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $45,170 · LCA filings 0250$45,1700
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $46,140 · LCA filings 0230$46,1400
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $48,540 · LCA filings 0220$48,5400
Columbus, OHMedian pay $46,160 · LCA filings 0220$46,1600
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $55,470 · LCA filings 0190$55,4700
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $43,850 · LCA filings 0180$43,8500

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$81,840700
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$81,530400
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$77,440700
Longview–Kelso, WAEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$69,070600
Savannah, GAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$66,390400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $40,893 · Level III $44,907 · Level IV $48,922$36,878$40,893$44,907$48,922
Birmingham, ALLevel II $52,707 · Level III $59,550 · Level IV $66,414$45,843$52,707$59,550$66,414
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $42,619 · Level III $49,026 · Level IV $55,411$36,234$42,619$49,026$55,411
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $45,781 · Level III $52,541 · Level IV $59,280$39,042$45,781$52,541$59,280
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $43,326 · Level III $48,464 · Level IV $53,622$38,168$43,326$48,464$53,622
Cleveland, OHLevel II $42,099 · Level III $48,235 · Level IV $54,392$35,942$42,099$48,235$54,392
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $46,197 · Level III $51,875 · Level IV $57,533$40,539$46,197$51,875$57,533
Columbus, OHLevel II $44,346 · Level III $51,938 · Level IV $59,530$36,754$44,346$51,938$59,530
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $52,250 · Level III $57,678 · Level IV $63,086$46,842$52,250$57,678$63,086
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $39,021 · Level III $43,992 · Level IV $48,963$34,050$39,021$43,992$48,963

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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All 69 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology