SOC 51-9051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders — Northwest Alabama
Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Northwest Alabama, AL is $49,220 per year, close to the national median of $48,040 for the same occupation.
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 Northwest Alabama, AL is $49,220 per year, close to the national median of $48,040 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $37,170 at the tenth percentile to more than $59,960 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $46,960 to $49,220.
The area has 40 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 97th of 230 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,170 | −22.6% |
| 25th | $46,960 | −2.2% |
| Median (50th) | $49,220 | +2.5% |
| 75th | $49,220 | +2.5% |
| 90th | $59,960 | +24.8% |
| Mean | $48,760 | +1.5% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montgomery | $57,240 | 70 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $57,220 | 290 | |
| 3 | Tuscaloosa | $48,110 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $49,220 goes as far as $55,428 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,220as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,428US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,220 a year, 2.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,170 to $59,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 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 Northwest Alabama, AL?
The median annual wage is $49,220, or $23.67 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 Northwest Alabama, AL is 2.5% 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 Northwest Alabama, AL earns more than $59,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,170 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 40 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Alabama, 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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