Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Career, Salary and Skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $48,040 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 14,280. Wage data is published for 112 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
51-9051.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$48,040
Hourly median
$23.10
Employment
14,280
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.88 | 3.50 |
| Operation and Control | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Speaking | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Writing | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Coordination | 2.50 | 2.50 |
Typical tasks
- 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 log books.
- Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
- Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, handtrucks, or hoists.
- Stop equipment and clear blockages or jams, using fingers, wire, or hand tools.
- Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
Technology
- Inventory tracking software
- Machine operation software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in OHMedian $46,190 · Employment 1,580
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in ALMedian $50,600 · Employment 1,090
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in CAMedian $45,300 · Employment 900
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in GAMedian $50,820 · Employment 870
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in TXMedian $45,040 · Employment 780
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in INMedian $48,770 · Employment 650
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in TNMedian $44,710 · Employment 640
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in ORMedian $50,820 · Employment 540
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in NCMedian $39,310 · Employment 530
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in NYMedian $49,280 · Employment 490
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in WAMedian $58,580 · Employment 430
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in MIMedian $47,410 · Employment 420
Related careers
- Maintenance Workers, MachineryNational median $60,850
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $46,550
- Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersNational median $58,040
- Chemical Plant and System OperatorsNational median $78,120
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersNational median $43,220
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersNational median $48,990
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $50,140
- Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and TendersNational median $41,330
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.