Also called: Melt Shop Operator, Electric Arc Furnace Operator, Metal-Refining Furnace Operator
Runs the electric arc furnace or ladle that melts scrap metal into thousands of tons of new steel.
From a heat-proof pulpit you lower giant electrodes into a furnace full of scrap, and lightning-bright arcs melt it in under an hour. You take temperature readings, add alloys and tap the glowing steel into a ladle. Modern mini-mills recycle old cars into new steel.
BLS metal-refining furnace operators; union mills with incentive pay can pay more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma; trained on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Shrinking (about -2% over 10 years). Metal-refining furnace operators.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Furnace control is getting more automated and AI-tuned; crews still run the hot, dangerous melt shop.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply at steel mills (ask for melt shop laborer jobs) or through a staffing agency; new hires are trained on the job
Classes: Chemistry, Physics, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-4051.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.