SOC 51-4051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders — South Carolina
South Carolina · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in South Carolina is $44,160 a year, trailing the national median of $54,430 by 18.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in South Carolina is $44,160 a year, trailing the national median of $54,430 by 18.9%. Half of workers earn between $39,180 and $58,130. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,060 and the ninetieth at $70,940.
The area has 290 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.18 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 36 states with published data for this occupation, South Carolina ranks 34th by median wage. Charleston leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $39,180. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 508th of 713 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,060 | −31.9% |
| 25th | $39,180 | −28.0% |
| Median (50th) | $44,160 | −18.9% |
| 75th | $58,130 | +6.8% |
| 90th | $70,940 | +30.3% |
| Mean | $48,160 | −11.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | $39,180 | 150 | |
| 2 | Greenville | $37,060 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $44,160 goes as far as $47,129 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,160as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$47,129US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,160 a year, 18.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,060 to $70,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 290 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 34th of 36 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charleston, at $39,180.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in South Carolina?
The median annual wage is $44,160, or $21.23 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 South Carolina is 18.9% 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 South Carolina earns more than $70,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,060 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 Charleston, at $39,180 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 290 jobs in this occupation in South Carolina. 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.
Explore related data