Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic earn a median of $46,170 per year ($22.20/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.8% through 2035, with about 5,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-9195
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic in four numbers
- Median pay
- $46,170a year, or $22.20/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $62K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,10043,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202543K
- Projected 203545.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 43K Projected 2035 45.5K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Bed Laborer, Caster, Injection Molding Machine Operator, Machine Operator, Mold Mechanic, Molder.
Pay
How much do Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic make?
Every molder, shaper, and caster, except metal and plastic in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$46,170
Middle half earn $39,280 to $53,000
- 10th
- $35,850
- 25th
- $39,280
- 75th
- $53,000
- 90th
- $61,530
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,850 |
| 25th | $39,280 |
| Median | $46,170 |
| 75th | $53,000 |
| 90th | $61,530 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $46,170
- Median hourly wage
- $22.20/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $47,500
- People employed
- 33,190
Versus all US occupations
At $46,170, Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic earn 9% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $4,810 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 4% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $61,530 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,850, 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 13% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Montana pays the most at $57,860, and still leads at $61,134 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Montana | $57,860 | $61,134 | 150 |
| 2Hawaii | $55,990 | $50,923 | 40 |
| 3Oregon | $52,740 | $51,025 | 410 |
| 4Connecticut | $52,520 | $50,690 | 170 |
| 5Washington | $51,780 | $48,387 | 1,130 |
| 6New Hampshire | $51,470 | $49,412 | 160 |
| 7Massachusetts | $50,550 | $47,798 | 1,200 |
| 8Maryland | $50,360 | $47,981 | 110 |
| 9Colorado | $49,530 | $48,063 | 390 |
| 10California | $49,190 | $44,427 | 3,590 |
Job outlook
Is Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | +5.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic to change 5.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,100 openings are projected each year, 11.9% of the 43,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-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.
The work
What does a Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic do?
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.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Construct or form molds for use in casting clay or plaster objects, using plaster, fiberglass, rubber, casting machines, patterns, or flasks.
- Pour, pack, spread, or press plaster, concrete, or other materials into or around models or molds.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
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 timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
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
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
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Active Listening2.9
- Speaking2.8
- Monitoring2.8
- Writing2.6
- Critical Thinking2.6
- Active Learning2.3
- Learning Strategies2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Speaking | 2.8 |
| Monitoring | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.6 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operation and Control3.0
- Operations Monitoring2.9
- Quality Control Analysis2.8
- Social Perceptiveness2.6
- Coordination2.6
- Time Management2.6
- Complex Problem Solving2.5
- Management of Personnel Resources2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.6 |
| Coordination | 2.6 |
| Time Management | 2.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.5 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Inventory management software
- Time accounting 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 Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic |
|---|---|
| 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.
- Realistic6.6
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative2.3
- Artistic2.1
- Social1.0
- 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 Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Production
Grinding and Polishing Worker, Hand
$42,660median a year
Most earn $33K to $61K
−19.2%No formal credential - 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
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$45,760median a year
Most earn $35K to $63K
+1.5%High school - Production
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$46,570median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
−0.9%High school - Production
More production careers
Median annual pay, with molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic 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
- Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic$46,170
- 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 |
| Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,170 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic appears on
Questions
Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic: frequently asked questions
How much do Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic make?
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic earn a median of $46,170 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 9% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $22.20/hr. The middle half earn between $39,280 and $53,000. The top 10% earn $61,530 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic do?
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. A core O*NET task: read work orders or examine parts to determine parts or sections of products to be produced. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic the most?
The highest state medians for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic are Montana ($57,860), Hawaii ($55,990), Oregon ($52,740) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic?
O*NET scores Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic 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.