About This Career Path
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.
Manufacturing
Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Average
$49,800
ANNUAL
$23.94
HOURLY
Entry Level
$29,820
ANNUAL
$14.34
HOURLY
Mid Level
$48,700
ANNUAL
$23.41
HOURLY
Expert Level
$66,080
ANNUAL
$31.77
HOURLY
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
170
Projected job openings through 2030
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
01
Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
02
Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
03
Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
04
Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
05
Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
06
Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, to ensure conformance to specifications.
07
Stop equipment and clear blockages or jams, using fingers, wire, or hand tools.
08
Load equipment receptacles or conveyors with material to be processed, by hand or using hoists.
09
Remove products from equipment, manually or using hoists, and prepare them for storage, shipment, or additional processing.
10
Calculate amounts of materials to be loaded into furnaces, adjusting amounts as necessary for specific conditions.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Common knowledge, skills & abilities needed to get a foot in the door.
KNOWLEDGE
Mechanical
KNOWLEDGE
Production and Processing
KNOWLEDGE
Public Safety and Security
KNOWLEDGE
Computers and Electronics
KNOWLEDGE
English Language
SKILL
Operations Monitoring
SKILL
Active Listening
SKILL
Critical Thinking
SKILL
Monitoring
SKILL
Operation and Control
ABILITY
Problem Sensitivity
ABILITY
Control Precision
ABILITY
Oral Comprehension
ABILITY
Written Comprehension
ABILITY
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Manufacturing
Not sure where to begin?
Career Exploration