Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in East Tennessee

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $47,250 -15.3% vs national
Median hourly $22.72
10th percentile $36,420
90th percentile $53,620
Employed locally 60
National median $55,770

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

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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
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East Tennessee
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,420
    25th
    $38,490
    50th (median)
    $47,250
    75th
    $49,320
    90th
    $53,620

    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 East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$41,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$59,240
    Production Workers, All Other$41,560
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$44,260
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$46,150
    Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$44,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make per hour in East Tennessee?

    The median hourly wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in East Tennessee is $22.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.78 or more per hour.

    Is East Tennessee above or below average for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in East Tennessee is 15.3% 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 East Tennessee?

    Entry-level Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $36,420 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,490.