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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Production · SOC 51-4051
0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$54,430
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
2,000
Proj. Annual Openings
16,780
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure0.8%
Top Skills
1.Operations Monitoring
2.Operation and Control
3.Monitoring
4.Reading Comprehension
5.Active Listening
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
Operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel.
Common titles: Arc and Argon Oxygen Decarburization Melter (ARC and AOD Melter), Automatic Furnace Operator, Central Melt Specialist, Control Room Operator, Electric Melt Operator, Furnace Operator
Representative Tasks
- •Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
- •Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
- •Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
- •Record production data, and maintain production logs.
- •Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
- •Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
- •Adjust flow of electricity to tools or production equipment.
- •Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
- •Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
Tools & Technologies
Microsoft Excel · hotMicrosoft Office software · hotProcess control softwareProcess safety management softwareProduction tracking system software
Related Occupations
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticFurnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and TendersSeparating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersWelding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersCleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
0.5%
Avg AI Exposure
1
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Outlook | Average | 4% Bright |
| Median Salary | $54,430 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |