Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in South Central Kentucky

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

Median annual salary $60,420 +8.3% vs national
Median hourly $29.05
10th percentile $48,140
90th percentile $75,690
Employed locally 190
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
South Central Kentucky
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,140
    25th
    $60,420
    50th (median)
    $60,420
    75th
    $60,420
    90th
    $75,690

    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 South Central Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $58,510
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $37,390
    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $40,400
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $45,650
    Engine and Other Machine Assemblers $38,550

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in South Central Kentucky is $29.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.39 or more per hour.

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

    The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in South Central Kentucky is 8.3% above 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 South Central Kentucky?

    Entry-level Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $48,140 per year in South Central Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,420.