Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders
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.
Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders 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. The role reports a median annual salary of $47,010 in the US and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.55 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, Monitoring, Critical Thinking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £31,717 a year for Process operatives n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8119). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
No official India pay figure for this career: it falls in more than one occupation group, and the Government of India's labour survey (PLFS) publishes pay only by occupation group.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
What you'd actually do
- Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
- Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
- Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
- Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
- Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
- Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, to ensure conformance to specifications.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders do?
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.
How much does Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders earn?
The median annual salary for Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders in the US is $47,010.
What is the job outlook for Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders?
The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 16,500 workers.
How do I become furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders?
Our AI-durability model gives Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders a score of 0.55 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.