Pourers and Casters, Metal earn a median of $51,810 per year ($24.91/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 5.0% through 2035, with about 400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-4052
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Pourer and Caster, Metal in four numbers
- Median pay
- $51,810a year, or $24.91/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $38KTop 10% $72K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.0%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4004,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20254.6K
- Projected 20354.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 4.6K Projected 2035 4.3K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school20%
- High school80%
Highest education held by pourers and casters, metal Segment Value Less than high school 20% High school 80%
Also advertised as: Caster, Casting Machine Operator, Casting Operator, DC Caster (Direct Chill Caster), Die Cast Machine Operator, Die Casting Machine Operator.
Pay
How much do Pourers and Casters, Metal make?
Every pourer and caster, metal in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$51,810
Middle half earn $45,190 to $61,700
- 10th
- $38,480
- 25th
- $45,190
- 75th
- $61,700
- 90th
- $72,040
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $38,480 |
| 25th | $45,190 |
| Median | $51,810 |
| 75th | $61,700 |
| 90th | $72,040 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $51,810
- Median hourly wage
- $24.91/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $54,290
- People employed
- 4,560
Versus all US occupations
At $51,810, the median for Pourers and Casters, Metal sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 8% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $72,040 or more while the bottom 10% earn $38,480, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 25% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Tennessee pays the most at $71,880, and still leads at $78,241 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Pourers and Casters, Metal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Tennessee | $71,880 | $78,241 | 120 |
| 2Massachusetts | $62,820 | $59,400 | N/A |
| 3Florida | $62,090 | $60,040 | 40 |
| 4Indiana | $61,430 | $65,821 | 530 |
| 5Ohio | $60,770 | $65,503 | 460 |
| 6Michigan | $60,280 | $62,650 | 360 |
| 7North Carolina | $57,700 | $61,171 | 100 |
| 8Illinois | $57,200 | $57,224 | 330 |
| 9Washington | $54,210 | $50,657 | 80 |
| 10Texas | $52,100 | $53,680 | 500 |
Job outlook
Is Pourer and Caster, Metal a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Pourers and Casters, Metal | −5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Pourers and Casters, Metal to change -5.0% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 400 openings are projected each year, 8.7% of the 4,600 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 Pourer and Caster, Metal
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 pourers and casters, metal.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)80%
- Less than a High School Diploma20%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 80% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 20% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Pourer and Caster, Metal do?
Operate hand-controlled mechanisms to pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds to produce castings or ingots.
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
- Pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds and forms to produce ingots or other castings, using ladles or hand-controlled mechanisms.
- Skim slag or remove excess metal from ingots or equipment, using hand tools, strainers, rakes, or burners, collecting scrap for recycling.
- Collect samples, or signal workers to sample metal for analysis.
- Load specified amounts of metal and flux into furnaces or clay crucibles.
- Read temperature gauges and observe color changes, adjusting furnace flames, torches, or electrical heating units as necessary to melt metal to specifications.
- Position equipment such as ladles, grinding wheels, pouring nozzles, or crucibles, or signal other workers to position equipment.
- Examine molds to ensure they are clean, smooth, and properly coated.
- Transport metal ingots to storage areas, using forklifts.
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 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 dayDealing 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 Listening3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Speaking2.8
- Active Learning2.3
- Learning Strategies2.3
- Writing2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Speaking | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
| Writing | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Operation and Control3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Quality Control Analysis2.9
- Time Management2.9
- Equipment Maintenance2.8
- Social Perceptiveness2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 2.9 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Industrial control 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 Pourer and Caster, Metal?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Pourer and Caster, Metal |
|---|---|
| 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
- Conventional3.8
- Investigative2.5
- Artistic1.1
- 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 Pourer and Caster, Metal
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
Rolling Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$50,140median a year
Most earn $38K to $70K
−8.3%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 - 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
Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender
$54,430median a year
Most earn $39K to $74K
−2.9%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with pourers and casters, metal highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Pourer and Caster, Metal$51,810
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- 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 |
| Pourer and Caster, Metal | $51,810 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Pourer and Caster, Metal appears on
Questions
Pourer and Caster, Metal: frequently asked questions
How much do Pourers and Casters, Metal make?
Pourers and Casters, Metal earn a median of $51,810 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), close to the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $24.91/hr. The middle half earn between $45,190 and $61,700. The top 10% earn $72,040 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Pourer and Caster, Metal?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Pourers and Casters, Metal. 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, 80.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Pourer and Caster, Metal a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.0% over 2025–2035, a loss of 200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Pourer and Caster, Metal 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: pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds and forms to produce ingots or other castings, using ladles or hand-controlled mechanisms. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Presentation software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Pourers and Casters, Metal the most?
The highest state medians for Pourers and Casters, Metal are Tennessee ($71,880), Massachusetts ($62,820), Florida ($62,090) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Pourer and Caster, Metal?
O*NET scores Pourers and Casters, Metal 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.