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The differences between furnace operators and molder operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a furnace operator has an average salary of $35,972, which is higher than the $31,707 average annual salary of a molder operator.
The top three skills for a furnace operator include math, basic math and cranes. The most important skills for a molder operator are GMP, quality checks, and dexterity.
| Furnace Operator | Molder Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $35,972 | $31,707 |
| Hourly rate | $17.29 | $15.24 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 58,975 | 66,217 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 55% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A furnace operator records time and production data, adjusts thermostats, and observes a pyrometer to maintain the temperature between specified limits. The operators set furnace control to regulate the temperature and heating time. They measure the temperature of the products to determine the necessity for adjusting furnace temperature using thermal instruments and charts. Their duties include the removal of materials from the furnace using signals overhead crane operator and transfer it to the next station and open furnace doors. This process will allow them to admit slabs, sheet, plate, and coil to lower ingots and uncover soaking pits into them.
A molder operator sets up for the production of millwork, which is a crucial and major output of precision wood products. This position requires experience with all machinery associated with the woodworking industry. The responsibilities of a molder operator include setting up and operating the molder, inspecting the stock being cut, and verifying the dimensions of cut material to ensure they match specifications.
Furnace operators and molder operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Furnace Operator | Molder Operator | |
| Average salary | $35,972 | $31,707 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $44,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, NY | Milford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | BWX Technologies | BD |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a furnace operator and a molder operator in terms of educational background:
| Furnace Operator | Molder Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 55% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between furnace operators' and molder operators' demographics:
| Furnace Operator | Molder Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 7.3% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 3% |