Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Albuquerque, NM
The median pay for a metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in Albuquerque, NM is $42,390/year ($20.38/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $54K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.55), that's roughly $44,364 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,464/month — about 50.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $42K get you in Albuquerque?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Albuquerque’s Regional Price Parity (95.55). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About metal-refining furnace operators and tenders
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Albuquerque, NM
Entry-level metal-refining furnace operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K. Top earners bring in $54K or more, a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $76K | +36% | 3,560 |
| Utah | $70K | +26% | 520 |
| New York | $64K | +15% | 750 |
| Iowa | $64K | +15% | 380 |
| Oregon | $62K | +12% | 280 |
| New Jersey | $62K | +11% | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $60K | +8% | 2,240 |
| Washington | $59K | +6% | 300 |
| California | $58K | +4% | 540 |
| Kansas | $57K | +3% | 110 |
| Louisiana | $57K | +2% | 150 |
| Connecticut | $57K | +2% | 40 |
| Missouri | $56K | +1% | 260 |
| Minnesota | $56K | -0% | 240 |
| Arizona | $55K | -2% | 490 |
| Illinois | $54K | -3% | 330 |
| Georgia | $51K | -8% | 200 |
| West Virginia | $51K | -8% | 140 |
| Ohio | $51K | -9% | 2,240 |
| Nevada | $51K | -9% | 80 |
| Kentucky | $50K | -10% | 690 |
| Tennessee | $50K | -11% | 1,190 |
| Florida | $49K | -12% | 620 |
| Massachusetts | $49K | -13% | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $48K | -14% | 590 |
| Alabama | $48K | -15% | 910 |
| New Hampshire | $47K | -16% | 50 |
| Nebraska | $47K | -16% | 80 |
| Michigan | $46K | -17% | 860 |
| Virginia | $46K | -17% | 100 |
| New Mexico | $46K | -18% | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $46K | -18% | 120 |
| Rhode Island | $46K | -18% | 110 |
| Texas | $45K | -19% | 560 |
| North Carolina | $44K | -22% | 230 |
| Arkansas | $40K | -28% | 430 |
| South Carolina | $40K | -29% | 290 |
| Mississippi | $38K | -31% | 130 |
Showing 1–10 of 38 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track metal-refining furnace operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Albuquerque numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do metal-refining furnace operators and tenders make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median is $42,390 a year, that works out to about $20 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,870, and experienced metal-refining furnace operators and tenders can clear $53,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $42K enough to live in Albuquerque?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,918/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,464/month, which eats 50.2% 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 metal-refining furnace operators and tenders salary go in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque has a Regional Price Parity of 95.55 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median metal-refining furnace operators and tenders salary is worth about $44,364 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do metal-refining furnace 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.