Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in West Kentucky

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

Median annual salary $61,960 +11.1% vs national
Median hourly $29.79
10th percentile $43,390
90th percentile $65,320
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
West Kentucky
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,390
    25th
    $50,040
    50th (median)
    $61,960
    75th
    $65,320
    90th
    $65,320

    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 West Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$36,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$70,720
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$40,040
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$40,700
    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$60,000
    Machinists$47,660

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in West Kentucky is $29.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.42 or more per hour.

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

    The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in West Kentucky is 11.1% 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 West Kentucky?

    Entry-level Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $43,390 per year in West Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,040.