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.
About the profession
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.
How to Get Started
Take a personality test to see if Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders fits your profile
Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
Jump to Career Path →Start learning — check the Learning Path for free courses
Jump to Learning Path →Video
Occupation on screen: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (O*NET 51-9161.00). The Department of Labor publishes one film per occupation family, and this is the film it lists for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (51-4051.00), which is how Furnace Operator is classified. Closed captions in English and Spanish. CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration)
Personality Fit
Based on the Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Enterprising
Leading, persuading, business
Social
Helping, teaching, working with people
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
Not sure if these types match you? Take the full RIASEC assessment (12-15 min) to discover your personality profile and see how it aligns with hundreds of careers.
Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Trainee Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tender → Technician Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tender → Senior Technician Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tender → Lead Technician Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tender
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
83K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $37,180 - $48,518/year With equity/bonuses: $40,898 - $58,222 Top markets (SF/NYC): $42,757 - $58,222 Execute core tasks using Operations…
Skills used in this career
Click any skill to see how to learn it and what salary boost it gives
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $26,026 - $43,666 Year 2-3: Junior level $48,518 - $56,862 Year 4-6: Mid level $56,862 - $61,651 Year 7-10: Senior level $61,651 - $74,753 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tender genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Operations Monitoring and Operation and…
💰 Salary Range
BLS OEWS, May 2023Half of U.S. workers in this occupation earn more than this, half earn less.
Create a free account to see how well this career fits you.
Create Free Account🎯 Is Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders right for you?
Take these tests to find out if this career matches your personality:
Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types