Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
The median pay for a metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $49,030/year ($23.57/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.94), that's roughly $50,578 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,338/month — about 40% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $49K get you in Milwaukee-Waukesha?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Milwaukee-Waukesha’s Regional Price Parity (96.94). 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, Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Entry-level metal-refining furnace operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $62K or more, a $24K 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do metal-refining furnace operators and tenders make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median is $49,030 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,860, and experienced metal-refining furnace operators and tenders can clear $62,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Milwaukee-Waukesha?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,324/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,338/month, which eats 40.3% 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha?
Milwaukee-Waukesha has a Regional Price Parity of 96.94 (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 $50,578 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.