Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders: 16,780 jobs, median pay $54,430

16,780

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$54,430

Median pay a year

Middle half: $46,080–$62,810

1,400

Annual openings

10-year change: −2.9%

High school diploma or equivalent

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 61 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $63,170 · LCA filings 0700$63,1700

Cleveland, OHMedian pay $65,660 · LCA filings 0520$65,6600

Birmingham, ALMedian pay $56,250 · LCA filings 0420$56,2500

Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLMedian pay $53,130 · LCA filings 0370$53,1300

Pittsburgh, PAMedian pay $60,810 · LCA filings 0320$60,8100

Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $61,780 · LCA filings 0240$61,7800

Spokane–Spokane Valley, WAMedian pay $85,370 · LCA filings 0240$85,3700

Reading, PAMedian pay $68,990 · LCA filings 0210$68,9900

Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $51,330 · LCA filings 0190$51,3300

Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $74,060 · LCA filings 0190$74,0600

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Spokane–Spokane Valley, WAEmployment 240 · LCA filings 0$85,3702400

Utica–Rome, NYEmployment 190 · LCA filings 0$77,5601900

Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAEmployment 190 · LCA filings 0$74,0601900

Reading, PAEmployment 210 · LCA filings 0$68,9902100

Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$67,360600

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

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $52,166 · Level III $58,136 · Level IV $64,126$46,176$52,166$58,136$64,126

Cleveland, OHLevel II $52,811 · Level III $60,674 · Level IV $68,515$44,970$52,811$60,674$68,515

Birmingham, ALLevel II $47,424 · Level III $53,227 · Level IV $59,030$41,621$47,424$53,227$59,030

Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLLevel II $47,757 · Level III $52,291 · Level IV $56,846$43,202$47,757$52,291$56,846

Pittsburgh, PALevel II $50,003 · Level III $56,576 · Level IV $63,149$43,430$50,003$56,576$63,149

Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $58,157 · Level III $63,398 · Level IV $68,661$52,894$58,157$63,398$68,661

Spokane–Spokane Valley, WALevel II $59,821 · Level III $71,552 · Level IV $83,304$48,069$59,821$71,552$83,304

Reading, PALevel II $62,608 · Level III $70,886 · Level IV $79,165$54,330$62,608$70,886$79,165

Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $45,282 · Level III $51,314 · Level IV $57,366$39,229$45,282$51,314$57,366

Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $58,198 · Level III $67,454 · Level IV $76,731$48,922$58,198$67,454$76,731

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

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Bakers Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Production 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