Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $45,870 -17.8% vs national
Median hourly $22.05
10th percentile $38,700
90th percentile $69,950
Employed locally 120
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
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,700
    25th
    $43,780
    50th (median)
    $45,870
    75th
    $61,860
    90th
    $69,950

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 57% Median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary is 43% below the area median household income

    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

    Nearby metros — Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $46,630
    Killeen-Temple, TX $45,580

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$36,560
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53,810
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$43,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$72,530
    Machinists$58,630
    Helpers--Production Workers$35,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Houston, TX is $22.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.57 or more per hour.

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

    The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in Houston, TX is 17.8% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $38,700 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,780.