Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $56,410 +20% vs national
Median hourly $27.12
10th percentile $37,700
90th percentile $75,210
Employed locally 310
National median $47,010

Compare Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,700
    25th
    $43,720
    50th (median)
    $56,410
    75th
    $62,620
    90th
    $75,210

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 63% Median Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary is 37% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $81,530
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $79,270
    Kentucky $75,220
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $75,010
    Maryland $75,000
    Wyoming $74,530

    Nearby metros — Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $79,270
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $64,120
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $61,770
    St. Louis, MO-IL $59,430
    Illinois $57,140
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $53,880

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$40,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$72,760
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$42,110
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$47,330
    Machinists$57,470
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$39,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Chicago, IL-IN is $27.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.39 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 20% above the national median of $47,010. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Chicago?

    Entry-level Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $37,700 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,720.