SOC 51-9051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders — Texas
Texas · 3 metro areas compared
At $45,040, median pay for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Texas tracks the national median of $48,040 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $45,040, median pay for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Texas tracks the national median of $48,040 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $39,520 and $55,590. The lowest tenth earn under $34,520, while the highest tenth earn more than $71,960.
Employment stands at 780, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 43 states with published data for this occupation, Texas ranks 35th by median wage. Austin leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $45,820. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 571st of 794 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,520 | −28.1% |
| 25th | $39,520 | −17.7% |
| Median (50th) | $45,040 | −6.2% |
| 75th | $55,590 | +15.7% |
| 90th | $71,960 | +49.8% |
| Mean | $49,190 | +2.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Texas
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $45,040 goes as far as $46,385 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,385US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,040 a year, 6.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,520 to $71,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 780 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 35th of 43 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Austin, at $45,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Texas?
The median annual wage is $45,040, or $21.66 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 Texas is 6.2% lower. 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 Texas earns more than $71,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,520 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 Austin, at $45,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 780 jobs in this occupation in Texas. 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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