SOC 51-4051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders — Phoenix
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Median pay for this occupation in Phoenix, AZ is $49,660 a year, trailing the national median of $54,430 by 8.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Phoenix, AZ is $49,660 a year, trailing the national median of $54,430 by 8.8%. Half of workers earn between $40,120 and $61,920. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,370 and the ninetieth at $61,920.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.52 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 424th of 647 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,370 | −29.5% |
| 25th | $40,120 | −26.3% |
| Median (50th) | $49,660 | −8.8% |
| 75th | $61,920 | +13.8% |
| 90th | $61,920 | +13.8% |
| Mean | $52,120 | −4.2% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Phoenix sit close to the national average, so $49,660 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$49,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,315US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,660 a year, 8.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,370 to $61,920 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Phoenix, AZ?
The median annual wage is $49,660, or $23.88 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 Phoenix, AZ is 8.8% 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 Phoenix, AZ earns more than $61,920 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,370 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Phoenix, AZ. 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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