Prevailing Wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Prevailing wages for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders, SOC 51-4051, are set by DOL across four experience levels, from entry-level Automatic Furnace Operator positions through senior roles such as Electric Melt Operator or Arc and Argon Oxygen Decarburization Melter (ARC and AOD Melter). The wage floor varies significantly by worksite city, so location matters as much as level.
See all jobs for this roleLook up your work address
Entry-level operators with limited hands-on furnace experience, typically performing tasks under close supervision. Candidates new to metal-refining environments, or transitioning from adjacent production roles, generally fall here. DOL expects minimal independent judgment at this level.
Qualified operators with practical furnace experience who work with moderate supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders, reflecting the hands-on proficiency most employers require without senior leadership responsibilities.
Experienced operators who handle complex melt cycles, troubleshoot equipment, and may train junior staff. These professionals exercise significant independent judgment and often manage a specific furnace type or shift with minimal supervisory oversight.
Fully competent senior operators or lead melters who oversee production quality, optimize furnace parameters, and may supervise teams. DOL associates this level with specialized expertise, cross-shift responsibility, and a track record of independent technical decision-making.
Prevailing Wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for this role
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for this role and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Verify your furnace type affects your level
Operators running electric-arc or induction furnaces often carry higher skill premiums than those on simpler gas or oil units. If your role involves complex refining chemistry or argon oxygen decarburization, document that scope before accepting a Level 1 or Level 2 filing.
Watch out for Chicago-to-Greenville wage gaps
The prevailing wage floor for this occupation in Chicago runs nearly double what DOL sets in Greenville or Mobile. If your offer comes from a multi-site steel or foundry employer, confirm which worksite city appears on the LCA, not corporate headquarters.
Exclude shift differentials from the compliance check
Furnace operators frequently earn overnight or weekend shift premiums. DOL prevailing wage compliance is calculated on base wages only. Shift differentials, production bonuses, and hazard pay do not count toward meeting the floor for sponsored positions.
Find employers who have sponsored furnace operators before
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a verified H-1B or green card sponsorship history for this occupation, so you can focus your search on steel producers, foundries, and metals manufacturers that have actually filed for these roles rather than those that only say they will.
Jobs for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-4051.00 alongside Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Arc and Argon Oxygen Decarburization Melter (ARC and AOD Melter) Prevailing Wage
Arc and Argon Oxygen Decarburization Melter (ARC and AOD Melter) Prevailing Wage
Arc and Argon Oxygen Decarburization Melter (ARC and AOD Melter) positions fall under SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Automatic Furnace Operator Prevailing Wage
Automatic Furnace Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Automatic Furnace Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Central Melt Specialist Prevailing Wage
Central Melt Specialist Prevailing Wage
Central Melt Specialist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Control Room Operator Prevailing Wage
Control Room Operator Prevailing Wage
Control Room Operator positions fall under SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Electric Melt Operator Prevailing Wage
Electric Melt Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Electric Melt Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Furnace Operator Prevailing Wage
Furnace Operator Prevailing Wage
Furnace Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Melt Room Operator Prevailing Wage
Melt Room Operator Prevailing Wage
Melt Room Operator positions fall under SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Melter Prevailing Wage
Melter Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Melter for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Vacuum Melter Prevailing Wage
Vacuum Melter Prevailing Wage
Vacuum Melter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Vessel Operator Prevailing Wage
Vessel Operator Prevailing Wage
Vessel Operator positions fall under SOC 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from employer surveys. For SOC 51-4051, those survey results are organized into four wage levels based on experience and job complexity. Employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the level that matches the actual duties in the job offer, and OFLC certifies that commitment through the LCA process.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry-level work under close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified, moderately supervised operation and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced operators with substantial independence. Level 4 covers senior or lead roles with the broadest scope and responsibility. The level should match the actual duties in your job offer, not just your years of experience. Review the LCA your employer files with OFLC to confirm which level was certified.
Why does the prevailing wage for this role vary so much from city to city?
DOL derives wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so local labor market conditions drive the floor. Cities with dense metals or steel manufacturing industries, stronger union presence, or higher costs of living produce higher survey results. The worksite address on the LCA determines which metro-area wage applies, regardless of where the employer is headquartered. An operator placed at a Chicago plant and one at a Greenville facility face entirely different wage floors even within the same company.
What happens if a sponsored job offer is below the prevailing wage for this occupation?
OFLC will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite location and experience level. Without a certified LCA, USCIS will not approve an H-1B petition. For PERM-based green card cases, DOL can audit or deny certification. The employer must either increase the offered salary to meet the floor or refile at the correct wage before the visa process can move forward.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders at a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you enter SOC code 51-4051 and a specific metropolitan area or state to retrieve the four-level wage table DOL currently uses for LCA certifications. Cross-reference with O*NET for occupational context. If your offer is already in hand, ask your employer to share the certified LCA, which will state the prevailing wage level and dollar figure DOL accepted for your worksite.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders right now.
Search Jobs for this role