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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay in Illinois

In Illinois, the median pay for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders is $24.53 an hour ($51,020 a year). About 590 people work in this job there.

$24.53Median hourly pay
$47,520–$59,350Middle half of workers, yearly
590People in this job in Illinois

That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($54,430). Illinois ranks 23rd of 36 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in Illinois

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$21.22$44,130
25% of workers$22.85$47,520
Half of workers (median)$24.53$51,020
75% of workers$28.54$59,350
90% of workers$30.38$63,180

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin$63,170700

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for metal-refining furnace operators and tenders

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: -2.9% over ten years, declining · about 1,400 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Illinois

JobMedian yearly pay
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$51,320
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,500
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$61,940
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,370
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators$115,780
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,340
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,440
Machinists$58,520

Other job titles for this job

Charge OperatorFurnace OperatorArc and Argon Oxygen Decarburization MelterArc and Aod MelterAutomatic Furnace OperatorBackbreakerBessemer Converter BlowerBessemer Converter OperatorBessemer RegulatorBlade Bender Furnace TenderBlast Furnace BlowerBlast Furnace Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.