Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $44,350 per year ($21.32/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 3.4% through 2035, with about 13,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-4072
- Production
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic in four numbers
- Median pay
- $44,350a year, or $21.32/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $34KTop 10% $62K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -3.4%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−3.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −3.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 13,800150,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025150K
- Projected 2035144.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 150K Projected 2035 144.9K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school30.3%
- High school57%
- Certificate11.2%
- Some college1.6%
Highest education held by molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic Segment Value Less than high school 30.3% High school 57% Certificate 11.2% Some college 1.6%
Also advertised as: Core Machine Operator, Die Cast Technician, Diecast Machine Operator, Machine Operator, Mold Setter, Mold Technician.
Pay
How much do molding make?
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $44,350 a year ($21.32 an hour, or about $3,700 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $34,170 and the top 10% more than $61,600 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is Hawaii, with a median of $77,560. See Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic salary in Hawaii and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Urban Honolulu ($77,480 average): salary in every city.
Every molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$44,350
Middle half earn $37,270 to $51,020
- 10th
- $34,170
- 25th
- $37,270
- 75th
- $51,020
- 90th
- $61,600
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $34,170 |
| 25th | $37,270 |
| Median | $44,350 |
| 75th | $51,020 |
| 90th | $61,600 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $44,350
- Median hourly wage
- $21.32/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $45,960
- People employed
- 150,470
Versus all US occupations
At $44,350, Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn 13% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $6,630 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 8% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $61,600 or more while the bottom 10% earn $34,170, a gap of 1.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 11% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Hawaii pays the most at $77,560, and still leads at $70,541 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay molding 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Hawaii | $77,560 | $70,541 | 140 |
| 2Maryland | $63,460 | $60,462 | 230 |
| 3Maine | $59,230 | $61,030 | 470 |
| 4Minnesota | $49,590 | $50,283 | 2,230 |
| 5Nevada | $49,590 | $49,600 | 350 |
| 6Nebraska | $48,500 | $53,827 | 1,000 |
| 7Washington | $48,290 | $45,125 | 1,800 |
| 8Colorado | $48,200 | $46,773 | 2,160 |
| 9North Dakota | $47,780 | $53,710 | 160 |
| 10New Hampshire | $47,610 | $45,706 | 1,080 |
Job outlook
Is molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -3.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | −3.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic to change -3.4% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 5,200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 13,800 openings are projected each year, 9.2% of the 150,000 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.
AI exposure: low
BLS places this occupation in its low relative AI exposure category, among the occupations least exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic
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)
Some 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 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)57%
- Less than a High School Diploma30.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate11.2%
- Some College Courses1.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 57% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 30.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 11.2% |
| Some College Courses | 1.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic do?
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
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
- Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
- Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
- Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
- Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.
- Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.
- Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.
- Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.
- Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
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 dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
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 dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict 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
- Active Listening3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Learning2.9
- Writing2.6
- Mathematics2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.6 |
| Mathematics | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.4
- Operation and Control3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Troubleshooting2.9
- Repairing2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Troubleshooting | 2.9 |
| Repairing | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Industrial control software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic?
Women make up 17.4% of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, against 47.1% of all employed people: a heavily male-dominated occupation.
27.0% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 44.5 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 17.4%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 44.5All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 27.0%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 307,000Other metal workers and plastic workers · BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 17.4% | 47.1% |
| White | 77.0% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 13.7% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 6.2% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 23.0% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 27.0% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 6.8% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%. CPS reports this occupation only within the wider Census group “Other metal workers and plastic workers”, so these figures are for that group.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| 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.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative2.3
- Artistic1.4
- Social1.1
- Enterprising1.1
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 Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$47,720median a year
Most earn $37K to $64K
+0.7%High school - Production
Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic
$46,170median a year
Most earn $36K to $62K
+5.8%High school - Production
Extruding and Forming Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Synthetic and Glass Fiber
$46,350median a year
Most earn $36K to $64K
−3.3%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
Multiple Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$47,180median a year
Most earn $36K to $74K
+0.6%High school - Production
Forging Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$49,030median a year
Most earn $37K to $69K
−17.2%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, 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
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic$44,350
- 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 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic | $44,350 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic appears on
Questions
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic: frequently asked questions
How much do molding make?
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $44,350 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 13% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $21.32/hr. The middle half earn between $37,270 and $51,020. The top 10% earn $61,600 or more.
How much do molding make an hour?
The median hourly wage for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $21.32 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $44,350 annual median works out to about $3,700 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn less than $34,170 a year and the bottom quarter less than $37,270 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Which states pay molding the most?
The highest state medians for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are Hawaii ($77,560), Maryland ($63,460), Maine ($59,230) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic earns the most?
BLS does not split molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $61,600, against a median of $44,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are Hawaii ($77,560), Maryland ($63,460), Maine ($59,230).
Do you need a degree to become a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, 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 Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. 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, 57.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
How long does it take to become a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for molding is a high school diploma or equivalent. Once hired, BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing some preparation.
Is molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 3.4% over 2025–2035, a loss of 5,200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 13,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic 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: observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software.
Do molding work 40 hours a week?
Most work more than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 64% of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic usually work more than 40 hours a week, 36% work exactly 40 and 0% work fewer. 84% say their schedule is regular and 13% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic?
O*NET scores Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, 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.
What percentage of molding are women?
Women make up 17.4% of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, against 47.1% of all employed people: a heavily male-dominated occupation. 27.0% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 44.5 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages, for the Census group "Other metal workers and plastic workers".