Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
The median pay for a metal-refining furnace operators and tenders in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $71,740/year ($34.49/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $68,052 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 41% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $72K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About metal-refining furnace operators and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level metal-refining furnace operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K.Top earners bring in $79K or more - a $31K 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 |
Track metal-refining furnace operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do metal-refining furnace operators and tenders make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $71,740 a year - that works out to about $34.49 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,380, and experienced metal-refining furnace operators and tenders can clear $79,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,425/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.4% 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (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 metal-refining furnace operators and tenders salary is worth about $68,052 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.