Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD make a median of $61,770 a year, or about $29.7 an hour. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.55), that's roughly $60,234 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,810/month — about 43.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $62K get you in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
About furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Entry-level furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K.Top earners bring in $73K or more - a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $75K | +60% | 260 |
| Maryland | $75K | +60% | 120 |
| Wyoming | $75K | +59% | 40 |
| Nevada | $67K | +42% | 40 |
| Virginia | $65K | +37% | 280 |
| Minnesota | $60K | +28% | 80 |
| Massachusetts | $60K | +27% | 130 |
| New Jersey | $59K | +24% | 480 |
| Illinois | $57K | +22% | 470 |
| Idaho | $57K | +20% | 150 |
| Iowa | $56K | +19% | 200 |
| Washington | $54K | +15% | 600 |
| Missouri | $54K | +14% | 270 |
| New York | $54K | +14% | 670 |
| West Virginia | $53K | +12% | 130 |
Track furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median is $61,770 a year - that works out to about $29.7 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,390, and experienced furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders can clear $73,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,148/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,810/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders salary go in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.55 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders salary is worth about $60,234 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.