Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Central Kentucky

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $50,080 -10.2% vs national
Median hourly $24.08
10th percentile $42,430
90th percentile $72,780
Employed locally 210
National median $55,770

Compare Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
in
Central Kentucky
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,430
    25th
    $47,600
    50th (median)
    $50,080
    75th
    $60,980
    90th
    $72,780

    Top-paying metros for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $86,300
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $85,370
    Indiana $75,630
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $73,500
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $71,740
    Utica-Rome, NY $71,000

    Related occupations in Central Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$39,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$64,620
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$39,730
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$41,920
    Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,720
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$42,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make per hour in Central Kentucky?

    The median hourly wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Central Kentucky is $24.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.41 or more per hour.

    Is Central Kentucky above or below average for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in Central Kentucky is 10.2% below the national median of $55,770. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Central Kentucky?

    Entry-level Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $42,430 per year in Central Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,600.