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Metal furnace operator

Also called smelter, plant manager, smelter operator

Metal furnace operators monitor the process of making metal before it is cast into forms. They control metal making furnaces and direct all activities of furnace operation, including the interpretation of computer data, temperature measurement and adjustment, loading vessels, and adding iron, oxygen, and other additives to be melted into the desired metal composition. They control the chemicothermal treatment of the metal in order to reach the standards. In case of observed faults in the metal, they notify the authorised personnel and participate in the removal of the fault.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects27 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree. 6 in 10 train through vocational routes.Science and engineering associate professionalsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Metal production process controllers · ILO

What you'd do

Metal production process controllers · ILO
  • Coordinating and monitoring the operation of a particular aspect of metal processing production through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems, usually from a central control room
  • Operating multi-function central process control machinery to grind, separate, filter, melt, roast, treat, refine or otherwise process metals
  • Observing computer printouts, video monitors and gauges to verify specified processing conditions and to make necessary adjustments
  • Coordinating and supervising production crew such as machine and process operators, assistants and helpers
  • Starting up and shutting down the production system in cases of emergency or as required by schedule
  • Providing and organising training for members of production crew
  • Maintaining shift log of production and other data and preparing production and other reports
Manage emergency proceduresMeasure furnace temperatureTroubleshootAdmit basic metals to furnacePrevent damage in a furnace+ 5 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Some contact with people, mostly with colleagues
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders"

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering associate professionals in the EU
7.4m7.3m7.49m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
142,000 new jobs 1,835,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering associate professionals27
All jobs29
Right now
6 of 27 countries report a shortage of metal production process controllers, 2 a surplus.
Metal production process controllers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in mechanics and metal trades is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 41%Vocational 43%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 9%
Field that teaches it
Mechanics and metal trades
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field
Engineering graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.31 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Maintaining shift log of production and other data and preparing production and other reports0.56
Coordinating and monitoring the operation of a particular aspect of metal processing production through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems, usually from a central control room0.34
Observing computer printouts, video monitors and gauges to verify specified processing conditions and to make necessary adjustments0.32
Providing and organising training for members of production crew0.31
Coordinating and supervising production crew such as machine and process operators, assistants and helpers0.28
Starting up and shutting down the production system in cases of emergency or as required by schedule0.19
Operating multi-function central process control machinery to grind, separate, filter, melt, roast, treat, refine or otherwise process metals0.16

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for metal production process controllers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).