What Do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender Do?
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator Definition 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.
Life As a Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator: What Do They Do?
- Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
- Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
- Direct crane operators and crew members to load vessels with materials to be processed.
- Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
- Sprinkle chemicals on the surface of molten metal to bring impurities to surface and remove impurities, using strainers.
- Load equipment receptacles or conveyors with material to be processed, by hand or using hoists.
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What Every Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator Should Know
When polled, Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Other Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator Job Titles
- Primer Expeditor and Drier
- Label Drier
- Petroleum Refining Firer
- Lumber Kiln Operator
- Beehive Kiln Charcoal Burner
What Kind of Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 21,900 jobs for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, or Kettle Operator or Tender. The BLS estimates 2,000 yearly job openings in this field.

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

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders who work in West Virginia, Maryland, or Michigan, make the highest salaries.
How much do Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders make in each U.S. state?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
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 to 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?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Work

Below are examples of industries where Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders work:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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