Shigoto Zukan
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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders job outlookprojected pay in 10 years $71,400 · outlook score 41/100 · BLS employment projections

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$54,430
25th–75th pct. $46,080–$62,810
Top pay (est.)
$96,800
Top 10% $74,470
Pay in 5 years
$62,300est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$71,400est.
$61,400–$82,800
Outlook score
41/100
★★☆☆☆ Below average
AI replacement risk
38%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
−2.9%
1,400 openings / yr

Projected pay for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (3, 5 and 10 years)est.

Today $54,430 → in 3 years $59,000 → in 5 years $62,300 → in 10 years $71,400 (10-year range $61,400–$82,800). The model assumes pay growth of +2.7% per year.

$54,430
Now
2026
$59,000
In 3 yrs
2029
$54,500–$64,200
$62,300
In 5 yrs
2031
$56,200–$69,400
$71,400
In 10 yrs
2036
$61,400–$82,800

What drives the annual growth rate

Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand -0.35%AI impact +0.09%Total +2.7% / yr

Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →

Outlook score for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

41/100
★★☆☆☆
Below average · ranked #648 of all U.S. occupations
Pay level
40 pts
AI resistance
62 pts
Entry barrier
53 pts
Annual openings
39 pts
Projected growth
19 pts

Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.

Labor demand for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

Employment
17K
BLS OEWS
Projected employment
16K
2025–35
Projected change
−2.9%
ranked #666 for growth
Annual openings
1,400
growth + replacement needs
Demand score
Low
27/100
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None
in a related occupation
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training

Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.