Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.
Also called: Bed Laborer · Caster · Injection Molding Machine Operator · Machine Operator · Mold Mechanic · Molder
Median pay (national)
$45,690
$34,950–$61,050 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
34,750
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+6.2%
~5,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $61,050 versus $34,950 at the bottom 10% — 1.7x. The median of $45,690 leaves roughly 34% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +6.2% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 5,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 46 states with released data, Hawaii pays the most for this role (median $74,780, +64% vs the national median), while Mississippi sits lowest at $30,070 — a 149% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Read work orders or examine parts to determine parts or sections of products to be produced.
- Trim or remove excess material, using scrapers, knives, or band saws.
- Brush or spray mold surfaces with parting agents or insert paper into molds to ensure smoothness and prevent sticking or seepage.
- Engrave or stamp identifying symbols, letters, or numbers on products.
- Assemble, insert, and adjust wires, tubes, cores, fittings, rods, or patterns into molds, using hand tools and depth gauges.
- Clean, finish, and lubricate molds and mold parts.
- Separate models or patterns from molds and examine products for accuracy.
- Set the proper operating temperature for each casting.
- Load or stack filled molds in ovens, dryers, or curing boxes, or on storage racks or carts.
- Align and assemble parts to produce completed products, using gauges and hand tools.
Tools & technology
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Inventory control software
- Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software
- Timekeeping software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service