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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders to decrease by -2.9% between 2024 and 2034, from 16,800 to 16,300 jobs. Its estimate of 1,400 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($54,430), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
16,800
Projected employment (2034)
16,300
Projected change (2024–2034)
-3%
Annual openings (projected average)
1,400
Pay & Preparation
$54,430
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operations Monitoring (3.88/5) • Operation and Control (3.75/5) • Monitoring (3.62/5) • Critical Thinking (3/5) • Quality Control Analysis (3/5) • Speaking (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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