SOC 51-4051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders — Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI · 2 metro areas compared
At $38,830, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders, 28.7% beneath the national figure of $54,430.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $38,830, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders, 28.7% beneath the national figure of $54,430. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,310 and $53,760. The lowest tenth earn under $37,310, while the highest tenth earn more than $54,590.
Employment stands at 100, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Detroit leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $51,330. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 486th of 572 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,310 | −31.5% |
| 25th | $37,310 | −31.5% |
| Median (50th) | $38,830 | −28.7% |
| 75th | $53,760 | −1.2% |
| 90th | $54,590 | +0.3% |
| Mean | $44,170 | −18.8% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Grand Rapids run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $38,830 goes as far as $40,364 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,830as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,364US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,830 a year, 28.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,310 to $54,590 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Detroit, at $51,330.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median annual wage is $38,830, or $18.67 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 $54,430, so pay in Grand Rapids, MI is 28.7% 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 Grand Rapids, MI earns more than $54,590 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,310 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 Detroit, at $51,330 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in Grand Rapids, MI. 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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