SOC 51-9051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders — Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Birmingham, AL is $57,220 per year, 19.1% above the national median of $48,040.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Birmingham, AL is $57,220 per year, 19.1% above the national median of $48,040. Pay ranges from under $42,900 at the tenth percentile to more than $77,500 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $50,600 to $77,490.
The area has 290 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Montgomery leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $57,240. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 235th of 489 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,900 | −10.7% |
| 25th | $50,600 | +5.3% |
| Median (50th) | $57,220 | +19.1% |
| 75th | $77,490 | +61.3% |
| 90th | $77,500 | +61.3% |
| Mean | $59,630 | +24.1% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montgomery | $57,240 | 70 | |
| 2 | Tuscaloosa | $48,110 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Birmingham run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $57,220 goes as far as $64,437 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 34.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$57,220as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,437US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,220 a year, 19.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,900 to $77,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 290 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Montgomery, at $57,240.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Birmingham, AL?
The median annual wage is $57,220, or $27.51 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $48,040, so pay in Birmingham, AL is 19.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Birmingham, AL earns more than $77,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,900 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Montgomery, at $57,240 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 290 jobs in this occupation in Birmingham, AL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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