Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tender Salary in 2026
How Much Do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Make?
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders earn a median annual salary of $47,010 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,010 at the 10th percentile to $66,190 at the 90th percentile — a range of $31,180. The highest-paying state is Kentucky at $75,220.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,010 |
| 25th percentile | $39,250 |
| Median (50th) | $47,010 |
| 75th percentile | $57,840 |
| 90th percentile | $66,190 |
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tender Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kentuckytop | $75,220 |
| Maryland | $75,000 |
| Wyoming | $74,530 |
| Nevada | $66,800 |
| Virginia | $64,510 |
| Minnesota | $60,130 |
| Massachusetts | $59,760 |
| New Jersey | $58,510 |
| Illinois | $57,140 |
| Idaho | $56,540 |
| Iowa | $55,800 |
| Washington | $54,060 |
| Missouri | $53,670 |
| New York | $53,650 |
| West Virginia | $52,640 |
| Indiana | $52,000 |
| New Hampshire | $51,300 |
| North Dakota | $51,080 |
| Oregon | $50,620 |
| Wisconsin | $50,220 |
| Nebraska | $49,300 |
| Alabama | $49,010 |
| Maine | $48,600 |
| Colorado | $48,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,080 |
| Georgia | $47,170 |
| Kansas | $46,570 |
| South Carolina | $46,420 |
| Louisiana | $46,350 |
| Arkansas | $45,510 |
| California | $44,340 |
| Tennessee | $43,880 |
| Mississippi | $43,680 |
| Connecticut | $43,300 |
| Oklahoma | $43,230 |
| Texas | $43,080 |
| South Dakota | $43,010 |
| Michigan | $42,360 |
| Vermont | $41,450 |
| North Carolina | $41,270 |
| Arizona | $40,490 |
| Ohio | $40,060 |
| Florida | $38,370 |
| Utah | $37,180 |
| Montana | $29,330 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tender Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,010 – $39,250 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$47,010 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$57,840 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $66,190+ |
How to Earn More as a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tender
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Kentucky earn $75,220 — $28,210 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($57,840) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tender Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenderthis career | $47,010 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $60,500 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender | $42,730 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
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SOC: 51-9051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.