SOC 51-4051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders — West Virginia
West Virginia
At $56,290, median pay for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in West Virginia tracks the national median of $54,430 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $56,290, median pay for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in West Virginia tracks the national median of $54,430 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $44,170 and $57,480. The lowest tenth earn under $39,910, while the highest tenth earn more than $72,120.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.90 — 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, West Virginia ranks 17th by median wage. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 265th of 618 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,910 | −26.7% |
| 25th | $44,170 | −18.8% |
| Median (50th) | $56,290 | +3.4% |
| 75th | $57,480 | +5.6% |
| 90th | $72,120 | +32.5% |
| Mean | $52,530 | −3.5% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $56,290 goes as far as $62,894 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$56,290as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$62,894US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $56,290 a year, 3.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,910 to $72,120 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 17th of 36 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in West Virginia?
The median annual wage is $56,290, or $27.06 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 West Virginia is 3.4% 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 West Virginia earns more than $72,120 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,910 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 70 jobs in this occupation in West Virginia. 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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