The median annual wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in California is $58,220 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $59,120.
Pay spans roughly $41,960 at the 10th percentile to $77,330 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $27.99 per hour. An estimated 540 people work as metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in California.
| Median (annual) | $58,220 |
| Mean (annual) | $59,120 |
| Median (hourly) | $27.99 |
| 10th percentile | $41,960 |
| 90th percentile | $77,330 |
| Employment | 540 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.