Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier And Kettle Operators And Tenders
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier And Kettle Operators And Tenders operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities such as annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, removing moisture from materials, or boiling soap.
Table of contents
What they do
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier And Kettle Operators And Tenders operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities such as annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, removing moisture from materials, or boiling soap.
- Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
- Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
- Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
- Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in logbooks.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Furnace Operators read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules. They monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
A typical day for a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier and Kettle Operator and Tender will also include:
- Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Clean, lubricate, and adjust equipment, using scrapers, solvents, air hoses, oil, and hand tools.
- Weigh or measure specified amounts of ingredients or materials for processing, using devices such as scales and calipers.
- Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in logbooks.
- Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Furnace Operators also replace worn or defective equipment parts, using hand tools. They may also calculate amounts of materials to be loaded into furnaces, adjusting amounts as necessary for specific conditions.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Furnace Operators confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems. They might also transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, hand trucks, or hoists.
In addition, they clean, lubricate, and adjust equipment, using scrapers, solvents, air hoses, oil, and hand tools.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them load equipment receptacles or conveyors with material to be processed, by hand or using hoists.
To some Furnace Operators, it is also their responsibility to weigh or measure specified amounts of ingredients or materials for processing, using devices such as scales and calipers.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is declining.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier And Kettle Operators And Tenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $27,010 to $32,670 per year or $13 to $16 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $60,310 | $29 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $50,390 | $24 |
| Median | $40,670 | $20 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $32,670 | $16 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $27,010 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier And Kettle Operators And Tenders based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $59220 | $28.47 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $52850 | $25.41 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $50030 | $24.05 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $49880 | $23.98 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | $48710 | $23.42 |
| Grain and Oilseed Milling | $48270 | $23.21 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | $47750 | $22.96 |
| Metal Ore Mining | $46640 | $22.42 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | $46520 | $22.37 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | $46260 | $22.24 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier And Kettle Operators And Tenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier And Kettle Operators And Tenders including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 6150 | $41740 | $20.07 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 1310 | $40810 | $19.62 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 950 | $38220 | $18.38 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | 780 | $46260 | $22.24 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 450 | $37690 | $18.12 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 440 | $39980 | $19.22 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 400 | $59220 | $28.47 |
| Employment Services | 390 | $35100 | $16.88 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 340 | $34130 | $16.41 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 310 | $47750 | $22.96 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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