SOC 51-4051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders — Columbus
Columbus, OH · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Columbus, OH comes to $59,950 a year, ahead of the national median of $54,430 by 10.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Columbus, OH comes to $59,950 a year, ahead of the national median of $54,430 by 10.1%. Pay ranges from under $40,710 at the tenth percentile to more than $73,540 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $48,490 to $62,310.
Employment stands at 70, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Cleveland records the highest median at $65,660. Of the 611 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 336th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,710 | −25.2% |
| 25th | $48,490 | −10.9% |
| Median (50th) | $59,950 | +10.1% |
| 75th | $62,310 | +14.5% |
| 90th | $73,540 | +35.1% |
| Mean | $57,050 | +4.8% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland | $65,660 | 520 | |
| 2 | Youngstown | $56,550 | 180 | |
| 3 | Canton | $55,080 | 100 | |
| 4 | Mansfield | $50,250 | 80 | |
| 5 | Cincinnati | $49,690 | 150 | |
| 6 | Dayton | $48,460 | 30 | |
| 7 | Toledo | $48,410 | 150 | |
| 8 | Akron | $46,210 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $59,950 goes as far as $64,601 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,950as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,601US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,950 a year, 10.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,710 to $73,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cleveland, at $65,660.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Columbus, OH?
The median annual wage is $59,950, or $28.82 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 $54,430, so pay in Columbus, OH is 10.1% 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 Columbus, OH earns more than $73,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,710 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 Cleveland, at $65,660 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, OH. 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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