SOC 51-4051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders — Indiana
Indiana · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Indiana is $58,300 per year, close to the national median of $54,430 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Indiana is $58,300 per year, close to the national median of $54,430 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $42,190 at the tenth percentile to more than $65,420 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,620 to $65,040.
Employment stands at 1,520, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 36 states with published data for this occupation, Indiana ranks 12th by median wage. Indianapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $50,040. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 372nd of 753 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,190 | −22.5% |
| 25th | $45,620 | −16.2% |
| Median (50th) | $58,300 | +7.1% |
| 75th | $65,040 | +19.5% |
| 90th | $65,420 | +20.2% |
| Mean | $55,900 | +2.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $50,040 | 90 | |
| 2 | Michigan City | $46,960 | 70 | |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | $46,380 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Indiana run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $58,300 goes as far as $62,487 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$58,300as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$62,487US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,300 a year, 7.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,190 to $65,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,520 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 12th of 36 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Indianapolis, at $50,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Indiana?
The median annual wage is $58,300, or $28.03 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 Indiana is 7.1% 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 Indiana earns more than $65,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,190 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 Indianapolis, at $50,040 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,520 jobs in this occupation in Indiana. 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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