Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
Median pay: $44,350/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -3.8% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 15,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
• Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
• Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
• Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set 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.
• Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.
• Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
• Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.
What's the median pay for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
The median pay for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $44,350 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Employment for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is projected to change -3.8% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
About 15,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.