Foundry Mold and Coremakers earn a median of $48,110 per year ($23.13/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 23.0% through 2035, with about 800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-4071
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Foundry Mold and Coremaker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $48,110a year, or $23.13/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $37KTop 10% $63K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -23.0%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−23%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −23% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 80012,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202512.7K
- Projected 20359.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 12.7K Projected 2035 9.8K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school35.6%
- High school64.4%
Highest education held by foundry mold and coremakers Segment Value Less than high school 35.6% High school 64.4%
Also advertised as: Core Machine Operator, Core Maker, Core Stripper, Coremaker, Green Sand Molder, Mold Maker.
Pay
How much do Foundry Mold and Coremakers make?
Every foundry mold and coremaker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$48,110
Middle half earn $41,870 to $57,350
- 10th
- $37,160
- 25th
- $41,870
- 75th
- $57,350
- 90th
- $62,640
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,160 |
| 25th | $41,870 |
| Median | $48,110 |
| 75th | $57,350 |
| 90th | $62,640 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $48,110
- Median hourly wage
- $23.13/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $49,860
- People employed
- 12,790
Versus all US occupations
At $48,110, Foundry Mold and Coremakers earn 6% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $2,870 a year.
Versus production occupations
The median is typical for the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $62,640 or more while the bottom 10% earn $37,160, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 18% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Oregon posts the highest raw median ($67,060), but once local prices are taken into account Missouri leads at $67,697 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Foundry Mold and Coremakers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Oregon | $67,060 | $64,879 | 270 |
| 2Missouri | $61,480 | $67,697 | 590 |
| 3Illinois | $57,110 | $57,134 | 390 |
| 4Minnesota | $56,840 | $57,635 | 470 |
| 5Massachusetts | $55,940 | $52,895 | 60 |
| 6New Jersey | $55,210 | $50,742 | 330 |
| 7New York | $54,380 | $50,389 | 110 |
| 8Alabama | $51,040 | $57,463 | 850 |
| 9Indiana | $49,860 | $53,424 | 720 |
| 10Iowa | $49,060 | $55,901 | 480 |
Job outlook
Is Foundry Mold and Coremaker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -23.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | −23% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Foundry Mold and Coremakers to change -23.0% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 2,900 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 800 openings are projected each year, 6.3% of the 12,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of metal and plastic machine workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of metal and plastic machine workers varies by occupation (see table).
One of the most important factors influencing employment of these workers is the use of laborsaving machinery. Many firms are continuing to expand the use of technologies, such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) tools and robots, to improve quality and lower production costs. The use of CNC equipment requires CNC tool programmers instead of machine setters, operators, and tenders. Therefore, demand for most manual tool operators and tenders is likely to be reduced, while demand for CNC tool programmers is expected to be strong.
Getting in
How to become a Foundry Mold and Coremaker
Metal and plastic workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive 1 year of on-the-job training. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) tool programmers typically need postsecondary education.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as foundry mold and coremakers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)64.4%
- Less than a High School Diploma35.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 64.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 35.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Foundry Mold and Coremaker do?
Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Day-to-day tasks
- Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections.
- Move and position workpieces, such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces.
- Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
- Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools.
- Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into molds.
- Lift upper mold sections from lower sections, and remove molded patterns.
- Position patterns inside mold sections, and clamp sections together.
- Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most metal and plastic machine workers are employed full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because many manufacturers run their machinery for extended periods, evening and weekend work is also common.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring3.0
- Active Listening2.9
- Critical Thinking2.9
- Speaking2.6
- Active Learning2.4
- Reading Comprehension2.3
- Writing2.0
- Mathematics2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.9 |
| Speaking | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.3 |
| Writing | 2.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Time Management2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Operation and Control2.6
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6
- Quality Control Analysis2.4
- Social Perceptiveness2.3
- Coordination2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Operation and Control | 2.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.6 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.4 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.3 |
| Coordination | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Industrial control software
- Inventory management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Foundry Mold and Coremaker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Foundry Mold and Coremaker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.8
- Conventional3.5
- Investigative2.3
- Artistic2.1
- Social1.1
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Foundry Mold and Coremaker
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic
$46,170median a year
Most earn $36K to $62K
+5.8%High school - Production
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$44,350median a year
Most earn $34K to $62K
−3.4%High school - Production
- Production
Grinding and Polishing Worker, Hand
$42,660median a year
Most earn $33K to $61K
−19.2%No formal credential - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Refractory Materials Repairer, Except Brickmasons
$61,290median a year
Most earn $41K to $87K
−13.7%High school - Production
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$45,760median a year
Most earn $35K to $63K
+1.5%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with foundry mold and coremakers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Foundry Mold and Coremaker$48,110
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremaker | $48,110 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Foundry Mold and Coremaker appears on
Questions
Foundry Mold and Coremaker: frequently asked questions
How much do Foundry Mold and Coremakers make?
Foundry Mold and Coremakers earn a median of $48,110 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 6% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $23.13/hr. The middle half earn between $41,870 and $57,350. The top 10% earn $62,640 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Foundry Mold and Coremaker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Foundry Mold and Coremakers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 64.4% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Foundry Mold and Coremaker a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 23.0% over 2025–2035, a loss of 2,900 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Foundry Mold and Coremaker do?
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces. A core O*NET task: clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software.
Which states pay Foundry Mold and Coremakers the most?
The highest state medians for Foundry Mold and Coremakers are Oregon ($67,060), Missouri ($61,480), Illinois ($57,110) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Missouri moves to the top at $67,697.
What personality type suits a Foundry Mold and Coremaker?
O*NET scores Foundry Mold and Coremakers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.