Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Production
Controls get pressed and adjusted so a furnace, kiln, oven, drier, or kettle runs as specified, annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, taking moisture out, or boiling soap. Gauges and panel lights are watched for anything off standard, and problems are talked through with supervisors or other operators. Work orders set the assignment, process, and schedule; samples are examined or collected for a lab, and readings, test results, and shift output go in a log. Materials and products move to and from the area by hand, cart, handtruck, or hoist. This suits people who like watching instruments and keeping a heat process steady through a shift.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$48'040
Median Wage Market Position
$48'040
What you might do
- Watch kiln gauges and lights for heat that drifts
- Set furnace or oven controls to match specs
- Read orders for heat settings and schedules
- Test samples or send them to the lab
- Log gauge readings and shift production
- Move loads to and from kilns or ovens
Skills that matter
- Watching heat-equipment gauges and panel lights
- Adjusting heat and drying controls
- Logging readings, tests, and shift output
- Testing samples against the spec
- Talking through problems with other operators
- Moving loads with carts or hoists
AI & the future of this role
Sensors and automated controls may handle more temperature and cycle monitoring on furnaces and kilns. Loading, tending unstable loads, and responding when heat processes drift still favor on-site operators, keeping prospects moderately resilient.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details