Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Explore safer careers (5)
Lower estimated automation risk
Why it fits
Equipment operators understand failures, adjustments, maintenance handoffs, and safe lockout routines.
Why it fits
Heating equipment monitoring, controls, maintenance awareness, and safety routines transfer to boiler operations.
Why it fits
Experienced operators can move into crew coordination, safety oversight, and production tracking.
Why it fits
Process control, gauges, alarms, and operating logs transfer with added utility-system training.
Why it fits
Process equipment operation, temperature control, batch procedures, and hazard awareness are reusable.
Occupation snapshot
What does this snowflake show?
What's this?
We rate jobs using four factors. These are:
- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions
These are some key things to think about when job hunting.
Risk & user votes
Calculated automation risk
High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.
More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.
Human strengths important in this job
These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.
Decision-making and problem solving
Very importantWhy this matters
Coordinating others’ work
Quite importantWhy this matters
What users think
Based on 14 votes
What do you think the risk of automation is?
What is the likelihood that Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?
Pay & outlook
Wages
In 2024, the median annual wage for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders was $47,010 ($23 per hour).
The median annual wage for Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders was 5.0% lower than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.
View wage trend
Wages over time
Growth
The number of 'Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders' job openings is expected to rise 3.0% by 2034
View employment trend
Total employment, and estimated job openings
Updated projections are due 09-2025.
Volume
As of 2024 there were 16,160 people employed as 'Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders' within the United States.
This represents around < 0.001% of the employed workforce across the country
Put another way, around 1 in 9 thousand people are employed as 'Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders'.
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Job description
Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities such as annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, removing moisture from materials, or boiling soap.
O*NET-SOC code: 51-9051.00
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