SOC 51-4051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders — Huntsville
Huntsville, AL · 3 metro areas compared
In Huntsville, AL the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders is $61,390 a year, which is 12.8% higher than the national figure of $54,430.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Huntsville, AL the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders is $61,390 a year, which is 12.8% higher than the national figure of $54,430. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $54,880 and $61,390. The lowest tenth earn under $49,290, while the highest tenth earn more than $81,170.
The area has 100 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 3.55 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Birmingham records the highest median at $56,250. Of the 389 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 170th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,290 | −9.4% |
| 25th | $54,880 | +0.8% |
| Median (50th) | $61,390 | +12.8% |
| 75th | $61,390 | +12.8% |
| 90th | $81,170 | +49.1% |
| Mean | $60,950 | +12.0% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $56,250 | 420 | |
| 2 | Anniston | $50,420 | 70 | |
| 3 | Mobile | $43,250 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Huntsville run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $61,390 goes as far as $69,133 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 27.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$69,133US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,390 a year, 12.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,290 to $81,170 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Birmingham, at $56,250.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Huntsville, AL?
The median annual wage is $61,390, or $29.52 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 Huntsville, AL is 12.8% 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 Huntsville, AL earns more than $81,170 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,290 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 Birmingham, at $56,250 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in Huntsville, 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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