Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel.
Table of contents
What they do
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel.
- Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
- Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
- Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
- Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Metal-Refining Furnace Operators inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear. They record production data and maintain production logs.
A typical day for a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender will also include:
- Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
- Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
- Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
- Sprinkle chemicals over molten metal to bring impurities to the surface.
- Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Metal-Refining Furnace Operators also scrape accumulations of metal oxides from floors, molds, and crucibles, and sift and store them for reclamation. They may also direct work crews in the cleaning and repair of furnace walls and flooring.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Metal-Refining Furnace Operators observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur. They might also weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
In addition, they inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them sprinkle chemicals over molten metal to bring impurities to the surface.
To some Metal-Refining Furnace Operators, it is also their responsibility to remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.
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.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
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 Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $29,750 to $35,790 per year or $14 to $17 per hour.
Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Highest (Top 10%) | $64,570 | $31 |
Senior (Top 25%) | $55,770 | $27 |
Median | $44,610 | $21 |
Junior (Bottom 25%) | $35,790 | $17 |
No experience (Bottom 10%) | $29,750 | $14 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders based on their average annual salary.
Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Metal Ore Mining | $55120 | $26.50 |
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $50780 | $24.42 |
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $49930 | $24.01 |
Machinery Manufacturing | $49530 | $23.81 |
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing | $48240 | $23.19 |
Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $47650 | $22.91 |
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $46310 | $22.26 |
Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $46070 | $22.15 |
Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | $44470 | $21.38 |
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | $44100 | $21.20 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders including the average salary in that industry.
Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
---|---|---|---|
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing | 4350 | $48240 | $23.19 |
Foundries | 2830 | $42010 | $20.20 |
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 2710 | $49930 | $24.01 |
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 2040 | $44100 | $21.20 |
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 470 | $42780 | $20.57 |
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 430 | $36940 | $17.76 |
Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 370 | $44470 | $21.38 |
Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 350 | $47650 | $22.91 |
Machinery Manufacturing | 290 | $49530 | $23.81 |
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 280 | $42890 | $20.62 |
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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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 working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
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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