Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Median $54,430
Occupation · SOC 51-4052
What pourers and casters, metal earn in the U.S., how pay varies across workers and states, and tools to plan around it.
$51,810 median annual wage
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (released 2026-05-15), SOC 51-4052.
See where your pay falls among pourers and casters, metal nationally and in your state. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
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The median annual wage for pourers and casters, metal was $51,810 in May 2025, so half of workers earned more and half earned less. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,480 and the highest-paid 10% more than $72,040. As an hourly rate, the median is $24.91. About 4,560 people work in this occupation nationwide. The highest state medians are in Tennessee ($71,880), Massachusetts ($62,820) and Florida ($62,090). Tennessee also comes out on top after taxes and local prices.
What each step of the pay range for pourers and casters, metal looks like per month. Take-home here includes federal tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer; add your state in the paycheck calculator.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Monthly gross | Monthly after federal tax & FICA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,480 | $18.50 | $3,207 | $2,758 |
| 25th percentile | $45,190 | $21.73 | $3,766 | $3,208 |
| Median | $51,810 | $24.91 | $4,318 | $3,651 |
| 75th percentile | $61,700 | $29.67 | $5,142 | $4,313 |
| 90th percentile | $72,040 | $34.63 | $6,003 | $4,959 |
23 states and territories have a published median, sorted from highest to lowest. The last two columns are our estimates: the median after 2026 federal and state taxes, and that take-home restated in national-average prices.
$64,654 take-home in national prices
$53,658 take-home in national prices
$53,313 take-home in national prices
Where a median pourers and casters, metal paycheck goes furthest after 2026 taxes and BEA price levels.
| State | Employment | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Median after tax* | In national prices† |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 120 | $71,880 | $38,650 | $72,690 | $59,398 | $64,654 |
| Massachusetts | Not published | $62,820 | $40,240 | $91,100 | $49,446 | $46,754 |
| Florida | 40 | $62,090 | $56,770 | $84,660 | $52,069 | $50,350 |
| Indiana | 530 | $61,430 | $43,320 | $65,010 | $49,756 | $53,313 |
| Ohio | 460 | $60,770 | $39,080 | $72,170 | $49,781 | $53,658 |
| Michigan | 360 | $60,280 | $37,560 | $71,970 | $48,304 | $50,203 |
| North Carolina | 100 | $57,700 | $37,450 | $63,150 | $46,748 | $49,561 |
| Illinois | 330 | $57,200 | $47,020 | $84,290 | $45,454 | $45,473 |
| Washington | 80 | $54,210 | $47,750 | $89,170 | $44,986 | $42,038 |
| Texas | 500 | $52,100 | $39,730 | $71,540 | $44,042 | $45,378 |
| Oregon | 60 | $52,010 | $36,740 | $77,080 | $40,299 | $38,989 |
| Kansas | 70 | $50,530 | $34,620 | $55,500 | $40,761 | $45,256 |
| Iowa | 80 | $49,010 | $41,690 | $63,490 | $40,349 | $45,975 |
| Missouri | 60 | $48,850 | $42,750 | $59,240 | $40,072 | $44,124 |
| Wisconsin | 320 | $47,880 | $37,580 | $67,820 | $39,179 | $41,638 |
| Alabama | 160 | $47,330 | $39,680 | $67,400 | $38,258 | $43,072 |
| Pennsylvania | 290 | $47,220 | $37,590 | $54,230 | $38,639 | $39,600 |
| Arkansas | 90 | $45,410 | $39,400 | $63,530 | $37,474 | $43,105 |
| Utah | 30 | $45,140 | $37,710 | $60,490 | $37,057 | $37,483 |
| California | 240 | $44,150 | $38,150 | $55,230 | $36,332 | $32,814 |
| Mississippi | 30 | $43,370 | $37,470 | $50,570 | $36,025 | $41,430 |
| Virginia | 60 | $39,420 | $31,200 | $62,970 | $32,401 | $32,048 |
| Kentucky | 60 | $38,800 | $38,800 | $68,300 | $32,115 | $35,621 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (released 2026-05-15), SOC 51-4052. *Our estimate for a single filer paid biweekly with no pre-tax deductions or local tax, 2026 federal and state rules. †Take-home ÷ BEA Regional Price Parity × 100 (2024 price levels).