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Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender

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What Does it Take to Be a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender?

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator Job Description 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.

List of Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator Job Duties

  • Remove products from equipment, manually or using hoists, and prepare them for storage, shipment, or additional processing.
  • Replace worn or defective equipment parts, using hand tools.
  • Load equipment receptacles or conveyors with material to be processed, by hand or using hoists.
  • Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
  • Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
  • Weigh or measure specified amounts of ingredients or materials for processing, using devices such as scales and calipers.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator?

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • Kiln Stoker
  • Control Room Operator
  • Petroleum Refining Firer
  • Dry Mill Operator
  • Flow Worker

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator Employment Estimates

In the United States, there were 21,900 jobs for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,000 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator are Utah, Florida, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Montana, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator

The salary for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders ranges between about $25,950 and $58,890 a year.

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Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders who work in West Virginia, Maryland, or Michigan, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $47,750
Arizona $35,210
Arkansas $42,290
California $39,730
Colorado $40,110
Connecticut $36,050
Florida $30,400
Georgia $39,740
Idaho $41,550
Illinois $38,880
Indiana $42,700
Iowa $41,550
Kansas $40,450
Kentucky $39,840
Louisiana $39,790
Maine $43,640
Maryland $48,310
Massachusetts $44,430
Michigan $45,960
Minnesota $43,590
Mississippi $34,500
Missouri $38,840
Montana $40,590
Nebraska $44,650
Nevada $46,020
New Hampshire $42,200
New Jersey $41,570
New York $43,210
North Carolina $40,350
Ohio $36,060
Oklahoma $39,520
Oregon $41,730
Pennsylvania $41,890
South Carolina $39,200
South Dakota $35,990
Tennessee $38,800
Texas $40,360
Utah $49,360
Virginia $36,640
Washington $43,210
West Virginia $45,470
Wisconsin $36,300
Wyoming $44,960

What Tools do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Data entry software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Machine operation software

How do I Become a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator?

What education is needed to be a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator?

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Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Sector

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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