SOC 51-9051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders — Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, AL · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Tuscaloosa, AL is $48,110 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 Tuscaloosa, AL is $48,110 per year, close to the national median of $48,040 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $37,860 at the tenth percentile to more than $83,470 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,470 to $62,790.
The area has 100 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 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 166th of 294 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,860 | −21.2% |
| 25th | $38,470 | −19.9% |
| Median (50th) | $48,110 | +0.1% |
| 75th | $62,790 | +30.7% |
| 90th | $83,470 | +73.8% |
| Mean | $52,250 | +8.8% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montgomery | $57,240 | 70 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $57,220 | 290 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tuscaloosa run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $48,110 goes as far as $54,178 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,178US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,110 a year, 0.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,860 to $83,470 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 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 Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median annual wage is $48,110, or $23.13 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 Tuscaloosa, AL is 0.1% 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 Tuscaloosa, AL earns more than $83,470 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,860 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 100 jobs in this occupation in Tuscaloosa, 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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