Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.
National median · BLS
$61,290
▲ +4.7%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$63,770
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
1,080
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$40,590
25th
$50,050
Median (50th)
$61,290
75th
$75,000
90th — top pay
$86,510
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
BLS projects employment of refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons to decline 13.7% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 100 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
1,100 → 900
-200 jobs
Projected change
-13.7%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
100
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons salaries by state
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
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Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
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Skills & tools
Skills needed for Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Operations Monitoring3.3
Repairing3.1
Active Listening3.0
Equipment Maintenance3.0
Operation and Control3.0
Coordination2.9
Critical Thinking2.9
Reading Comprehension2.9
Time Management2.9
Troubleshooting2.9
Top knowledge areas
Mechanical3.5
Production and Processing3.0
Public Safety and Security2.7
English Language2.7
Mathematics2.6
Chemistry2.5
Design2.4
Education and Training2.4
Software and technology used
Microsoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordMaintenance management softwareTime tracking software
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons do
Reline or repair ladles and pouring spouts with refractory clay, using trowels.
Chip slag from linings of ladles or remove linings when beyond repair, using hammers and chisels.
Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, mortar powder, and water to form refractory clay or mortar, using shovels or mixing machines.
Measure furnace walls to determine dimensions and cut required number of sheets from plastic block, using saws.
Dry and bake new linings by placing inverted linings over burners, building fires in ladles, or by using blowtorches.
Remove worn or damaged plastic block refractory linings of furnaces, using hand tools.
Climb scaffolding, carrying hoses, and spray surfaces of cupolas with refractory mixtures, using spray equipment.
Spread mortar on stopper heads and rods, using trowels, and slide brick sleeves over rods to form refractory jackets.
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $61,290.
