Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons, work in a specialized trade focused on maintaining and repairing refractory materials. The national median annual salary of $58,540 indicates that this occupation offers solid earning potential for workers who develop the right mix of physical and technical skills. National employment is relatively small at 1,000 workers, so this is a niche field rather than a broad, high-volume occupation. Projected employment growth of -16.9% and zero estimated annual openings signal a shrinking job market overall, which makes careful planning and location choices especially important. The role favors people with strong physical strength and stamina, good mechanical ability, fine motor skills, and attention to detail. Success also draws on problem solving and decision making, as well as basic mathematics, science, and reading and writing skills. For individuals who are comfortable in hands-on, physically demanding environments and who value specialized craft work, this career can be appealing, especially in specific states and metro areas where opportunity scores and salaries are higher.
The national median annual salary for refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons, is $58,540. Within this overall picture, pay varies noticeably by state. Indiana shows the highest listed median salary at $74,600, followed by Texas at $67,330 and the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro at $67,380. These figures suggest that workers in some regions can earn substantially more than the national median. Ohio’s median of $58,470 aligns very closely with the national level, while Alabama’s median of $47,650 and South Carolina’s $37,870 indicate lower typical pay in those states. The range from $37,870 to $74,600 across highlighted states demonstrates that location decisions can have a major impact on earnings. Because this occupation typically requires only a high school diploma or equivalent, the salaries in the higher-paying states and metros may be particularly attractive to individuals willing to relocate or target those markets.
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons, currently have national employment of 1,000 workers. The projected employment growth rate of -16.9% indicates that overall job numbers are expected to decline. In addition, the estimate of zero annual openings underscores that this occupation is not expected to generate many new positions or replacement needs over the projection period. This combination points to a challenging labor-market outlook, where competition for available jobs may be strong and opportunities limited. The same -16.9% projected growth rate is reported for the top states and metro areas listed, suggesting that the downward trend is broad-based rather than localized. Individuals considering this career should factor in the shrinking employment base and carefully evaluate state and metro opportunity scores and salaries. For those already in the occupation, monitoring regional demand and being open to relocating within stronger markets such as Texas, Ohio, or Indiana may be important for long-term stability.
Location plays a significant role in the opportunities available to refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons. Among states, Texas stands out with a median salary of $67,330, employment of 130, and the highest opportunity score of 51.57. Ohio has the largest listed employment at 250, with a median salary of $58,470 and an opportunity score of 42.84, pairing relatively strong hiring levels with solid pay. Indiana combines a high median salary of $74,600 with smaller employment of 90 and an opportunity score of 36.51. Alabama and South Carolina show lower median salaries of $47,650 and $37,870, with opportunity scores of 26.55 and 23.09, respectively. At the metro level, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX offers a median salary of $67,380, employment of 50, and an opportunity score of 50.30, aligning closely with Texas’s strong statewide profile. Birmingham, AL has an opportunity score of 42.03, median salary of $49,260, and employment of 50, offering a notable regional option despite Alabama’s lower statewide metrics.
The typical education for refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons, is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who do not plan to complete a college degree but are ready to build strong technical and physical skills. Success in this occupation depends heavily on physical strength and stamina, reflecting the demanding, hands-on nature of the work. Mechanical skills, fine motor abilities, and being detail oriented are also central, supporting accurate and reliable repair work. Science and mathematics skills contribute to understanding materials and measurements, while writing and reading support following instructions and documenting work. Problem solving and decision making help workers address issues on the job, and project management skills support organizing tasks and timelines. Leadership skills can be valuable for those who eventually coordinate or guide others. Together, these skills indicate a blend of physical capability, technical understanding, and organizational ability that can be built on top of a high school education.
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