How much does a furnace operator make?
Answer: A typical furnace operator in the United States makes $48,040 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 14,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Furnace operator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,960 | $48,040 | $69,800 | about 14,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $50,820 | about 870 |
| Oregon | $50,820 | about 540 |
| Alabama | $50,600 | about 1,000 |
| Indiana | $48,770 | about 650 |
| Ohio | $46,190 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience and in-demand skills or credentials, and with the employer’s industry and location. More complex jobs or greater responsibility may pay more.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a furnace operator do?
Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities such as annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, removing moisture from materials, or boiling soap.
What's a typical day like?
They read a work order, load material, then watch gauges and adjust the furnace or kiln so it heats or dries correctly. They test the result, record readings, and tell teammates about problems.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a high-school diploma or GED is typical, followed by moderate on-the-job training (over a month and up to a year). Registered apprenticeships are another route for some furnace or kiln jobs.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
This job family can help anneal glass, dry lumber, cure rubber, remove moisture—or even boil soap.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes519051.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/51-9051.00
- www.bls.gov/occupation-finder.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY