Metal Furnace Operator
Run furnaces that melt and refine metal in mills and foundries.
- $54,430
- A few months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Furnace and Kiln Operator
Also called: Kiln Operator · Oven Operator · Dryer Operator · Kettle Operator
What furnace and kiln operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a furnace and kiln operator do?
Furnace, kiln, oven, drier and kettle operators and tenders operate or tend heating equipment other than metal-refining furnaces, such as kilns, ovens and kettles. The median pay is $48,040 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +2.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$48,040$23.10/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.6%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs14,500Employment, 2025
What furnace and kiln operators do
Furnace and kiln operators control heat in production. They fire kilns for brick, ceramics and glass, run industrial ovens and dryers, operate kettles for chemicals and food, follow temperature profiles and inspect product.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Load kilns and ovens
- Follow temperature profiles
- Monitor controls
- Inspect product
- Adjust settings
- Record data
- Maintain equipment
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in hot plant areas in ceramics, glass, chemical and food plants.
Schedule: Full time, rotating shifts because kilns run nonstop.
A day in the life
- Shift handoff.
- Check kiln temperatures.
- Load kiln cars.
- Monitor the firing curve.
See a full day in the life of a furnace and kiln operator →
Furnace and Kiln Operator salary
Half of furnace and kiln operators earned more than $48,040 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,960 for the lowest 10% to $69,800 for the top 10%.
Full furnace and kiln operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a furnace and kiln operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn the kiln
- Learn controls
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a furnace and kiln operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Kiln operation
- Temperature profiles
- Control systems
- Product inspection
- Recordkeeping
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Safety focus
- Patience
All furnace and kiln operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Average growth
- Steady work
- Process skills
Cons
- Heat
- Rotating shifts
- Burn hazards
- Repetitive
Certifications and licenses
- Process training: Employer.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Combustion safety training: Helpful.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Kiln Operator: Operate.
- Lead Operator: Lead.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Furnace and Kiln Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as follow a kiln firing curve and load a kiln car evenly, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Heat Treating Operator
Heat and cool metal parts to make them harder, tougher or easier to machine.
- $48,750
- A few months on the job
Forming Machine Operator
Run machines that press and form materials like clay, powder and pellets into shapes.
- $45,760
- A few months on the job
Food Roasting Machine Operator
Run machines that roast, bake or dry foods like coffee, nuts and snacks.
- $44,810
- A few months on the job
Compare: Furnace and Kiln Operator vs. Metal Furnace Operator · Furnace and Kiln Operator vs. Heat Treating Operator · Furnace and Kiln Operator vs. Forming Machine Operator · Furnace and Kiln Operator vs. Food Roasting Machine Operator
Furnace and Kiln Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
Is it hot?
Yes, near kilns and ovens.
How much does a furnace and kiln operator make?
The median annual wage for furnace and kiln operators was $48,040 ($23.10 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,960 and the highest 10% earned more than $69,800.
How long does it take to become a furnace and kiln operator?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a furnace and kiln operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More furnace and kiln operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9051 (Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.