What Does a Refractory Repairer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a refractory repairer do?

Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons, build or repair furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers and other equipment using refractory materials. The median pay is $61,290 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Several months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -13.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$61,290
$29.47/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-13.7%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
100
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
Several months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
1,100
Employment, 2025

What refractory repairers do

Refractory repairers protect equipment from extreme heat. They tear out worn linings, install heat-resistant brick, castable and fiber, gun or spray refractory, and repair furnaces in steel mills, foundries, glass plants and refineries.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. It is a tiny occupation, and BLS projects decline.

Typical duties

Inspect refractory linings
Tear out worn material
Install brick and castable
Spray or gun refractory
Repair furnace doors and seals
Cure new linings
Work during shutdowns

Work environment and schedule

Repairers work inside furnaces, kilns and boilers in heavy industry.

Schedule: Shutdown work can mean long shifts and travel.

A day in the life

6:00 AMAttend the shutdown safety briefing.
7:00 AMEnter a cooled furnace.
8:00 AMJackhammer old lining.
11:00 AMMix castable.

See a full day in the life of a refractory repairer →

Refractory Repairer salary

Half of refractory repairers earned more than $61,290 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $40,590 for the lowest 10% to $86,510 for the top 10%.

$40,59010th$61,290Median$86,51090th

Full refractory repairer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a refractory repairer

Finish high school
Get hired as a helper
Learn materials
Get confined space training
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a refractory repairer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Refractory installation
Mixing castables
Gunning
Demolition
Confined space work

People skills

Stamina
Safety focus
Teamwork
Reliability

All refractory repairer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Specialized skill
Shutdown overtime
No degree needed
Industrial pay

Cons

Hot, dusty work
Confined spaces
Very small field
Declining employment

Certifications and licenses

Confined space training: Required.
Respirator fit testing: Required.
OSHA 10 or 30: Safety.
Union apprenticeship: Bricklayers union.

Career path

Helper: Entry.
Refractory Repairer: Install.
Lead Installer: Lead crews.
Refractory Supervisor: Lead projects.

Learn the job before day one

Our Refractory Repairer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as install castable refractory and enter a confined space safely, safety and how to land your first job.

View Refractory Repairer training Is this career right for me?

Brickmason

Build durable walls, chimneys and structures from brick, block and stone.

$62,120
3–4 years (apprenticeship)

Millwright

Install, align and maintain the heavy machinery in factories, plants and power stations.

$65,700
4 years (apprenticeship)

Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

$47,120
Days to weeks (on the job)

Furnace and Kiln Operator

Run kilns, ovens, dryers and kettles that heat-treat or dry products.

$48,040
A few months on the job

Compare: Refractory Repairer vs. Brickmason · Refractory Repairer vs. Millwright · Refractory Repairer vs. Construction Laborer · Refractory Repairer vs. Furnace and Kiln Operator

Refractory Repairer FAQ

Is refractory work common?

No, it’s a very small field.

Is it dangerous?

It can be; strict safety rules apply.

Do I need a degree?

No.

How much does a refractory repairer make?

The median annual wage for refractory repairers was $61,290 ($29.47 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,590 and the highest 10% earned more than $86,510.

How long does it take to become a refractory repairer?

Most people need about Several 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 refractory repairer?

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.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9045 (Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons (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.

Refractory Repairer