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As of October 2025, the average salary for an Open Hearth Worker stands at $24,468 annually or about $12 per hour. This wage reflects the essential role these workers play in the steel industry, where they manage the heating and refining of metal.
Factors influencing salaries include geographic location, years of experience, and the specific employer. For example, states like California and Texas often feature higher compensation due to the demand for skilled labor in larger industrial facilities.
Average salaries can vary significantly across states. In states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, where steel manufacturing is concentrated, Open Hearth Workers may earn more than the national average. Higher-paying cities like Pittsburgh and Chicago are prime locations for job seekers.
Job openings for Open Hearth Workers are available in various sectors, including manufacturing and construction. Those seeking a career in this field should consider gaining experience through apprenticeships or related positions to enhance their earning potential.
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The average open hearth worker salary in Maine, New Jersey, and Illinois are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average open hearth worker salary states are Georgia, Florida, and Delaware.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $34,785 | $16.72 |
| 2 | Arkansas | $34,485 | $16.58 |
| 3 | Maine | $40,313 | $19.38 |
| 4 | Washington | $32,516 | $15.63 |
| 5 | Iowa | $35,953 | $17.29 |
| 6 | Kansas | $35,547 | $17.09 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $26,631 | $12.80 |
| 8 | Illinois | $36,296 | $17.45 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $34,219 | $16.45 |
| 10 | South Dakota | $26,446 | $12.71 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $38,846 | $18.68 |
| 12 | Vermont | $32,033 | $15.40 |
| 13 | Texas | $27,879 | $13.40 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $26,643 | $12.81 |
| 15 | Missouri | $26,754 | $12.86 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $30,891 | $14.85 |
| 17 | South Carolina | $27,113 | $13.04 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $30,127 | $14.48 |
| 19 | Utah | $26,722 | $12.85 |
| 20 | Louisiana | $25,929 | $12.47 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $28,806 | $13.85 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $26,161 | $12.58 |
| 23 | Michigan | $26,779 | $12.87 |
| 24 | Idaho | $25,490 | $12.25 |
| 25 | Arizona | $26,635 | $12.81 |
| 26 | Oregon | $25,620 | $12.32 |
| 27 | Mississippi | $26,315 | $12.65 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $26,346 | $12.67 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $22,716 | $10.92 |
| 30 | Virginia | $26,540 | $12.76 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $26,312 | $12.65 |
| 32 | Colorado | $26,251 | $12.62 |
| 33 | Montana | $26,539 | $12.76 |
| 34 | Indiana | $26,305 | $12.65 |
| 35 | New York | $29,046 | $13.96 |
| 36 | California | $25,211 | $12.12 |
| 37 | Maryland | $26,944 | $12.95 |
| 38 | Rhode Island | $25,014 | $12.03 |
| 39 | Alaska | $27,949 | $13.44 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $25,640 | $12.33 |
| 41 | Hawaii | $30,792 | $14.80 |
| 42 | Florida | $22,605 | $10.87 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $22,808 | $10.97 |
| 44 | Georgia | $22,680 | $10.90 |
| 45 | Alabama | $22,089 | $10.62 |
| 46 | Delaware | $22,475 | $10.81 |
| 47 | Ohio | $22,109 | $10.63 |
| 48 | District of Columbia | $22,054 | $10.60 |
| 49 | Pennsylvania | $23,632 | $11.36 |
| 50 | Minnesota | $23,333 | $11.22 |
| 51 | Nevada | $21,885 | $10.52 |
The highest-paying cities for open hearth workers are Eagle Pass, TX, Salt Lake City, UT, and Aurora, CO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagle Pass, TX | $27,912 | $13.42 |
| 2 | Salt Lake City, UT | $26,587 | $12.78 |
| 3 | Aurora, CO | $26,224 | $12.61 |
| 4 | Casper, WY | $26,202 | $12.60 |
An open hearth worker's salary ranges from $12,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $46,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $24,468 | $2,039 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $17,000 | $1,417 | $8 |
| 10th Percentile | $12,000 | $1,000 | $6 |
The highest paying types of open hearth workers are founder, pull up hand, and blast furnace operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder | $91,296 | $7,608 | $43.89 | 59 |
| Furnace Operator | $35,972 | $2,998 | $17.29 | 58,975 |
| Utility Worker | $30,429 | $2,536 | $14.63 | 31,038 |
| Generator Worker | $32,651 | $2,721 | $15.70 | 76,094 |
Top companies hiring open hearth workers now:
Open hearth worker salaries at Epperson & Company and American Family Insurance are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average open hearth worker salary at companies like Southern Nevada Water Authority and Amazon are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epperson & Company | $41,251 | $19.83 |
| 2 | American Family Insurance | $37,813 | $18.18 |
| 3 | Southern Nevada Water Authority | $35,823 | $17.22 |
| 4 | Amazon | $34,152 | $16.42 |
| 5 | City of Aurora | $33,549 | $16.13 |
| 6 | Salt Lake County | $29,689 | $14.27 |
| 7 | City Of Lafayette, Colorado | $29,518 | $14.19 |
| 8 | Three Forks Ranch | $27,763 | $13.35 |
| 9 | Bill.com | $27,376 | $13.16 |
| 10 | Payson Utah | $26,295 | $12.64 |
| 11 | Eaton & Associates | $25,975 | $12.49 |
| 12 | Benchmark Hospitally | $25,840 | $12.42 |
| 13 | Wc Smith | $25,768 | $12.39 |
| 14 | Activision Blizzard | $25,459 | $12.24 |
| 15 | Benchmark Group | $24,785 | $11.92 |
| 16 | Spectracom | $24,407 | $11.73 |
| 17 | McDonald's | $23,618 | $11.35 |
The average open hearth worker salary has risen by $3,253 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average open hearth worker earned $21,215 annually, but today, they earn $24,468 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for open hearth workers over the last decade.
Compare open hearth worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare open hearth worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $24,500 | $11.76 | +5.3% |
| 2024 | $23,200 | $11.14 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $22,600 | $10.87 | -0.2% |
| 2022 | $22,700 | $10.89 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | $22,500 | $10.82 | -2.9% |
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