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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Charleston, SC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Charleston, SC have a median annual salary of $39,180, with 150 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $33,810 at the 10th percentile to $70,940 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$39,180

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$18.84

Employment

150

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$33,810
10th
$39,180
25th
$39,180
Median
$62,890
75th
$70,940
90th

Local compared with national

Charleston, SC

$39,180

Median annual · 2025

United States

$54,430

Median annual · 2025

The Charleston, SC median is 28.0% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $15,250).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Operation and ControlImportance 3.8
  3. 3.MonitoringImportance 3.6
  4. 4.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.0
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  6. 6.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 2.9
  11. 11.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.9
  12. 12.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Process control software
  • Process safety management software
  • Production tracking system software

Common tasks

  • Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
  • Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.
  • 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.
  • Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
  • Record production data, and maintain production logs.
  • Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
  • Drain, transfer, or remove molten metal from furnaces, and place it into molds, using hoists, pumps, or ladles.
  • Kindle fires, and shovel fuel and other materials into furnaces or onto conveyors by hand, with hoists, or by directing crane operators.
  • Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in other locations

Other occupations in Charleston, SC