Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Also called: Molders, Shapers, and Casters
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.
Also called: Adobe Block Maker, Adobe Maker, Almond Paste Molder, Artificial Candy Maker, Batter Out, Bed Laborer
Median pay
$46,170
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,850 – $61,530
People employed
33,190
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic pay by state
Annual median pay by state (48 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary in every state →
What molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic do
- 01Read work orders or examine parts to determine parts or sections of products to be produced.
- 02Brush or spray mold surfaces with parting agents or insert paper into molds to ensure smoothness and prevent sticking or seepage.
- 03Engrave or stamp identifying symbols, letters, or numbers on products.
- 04Assemble, insert, and adjust wires, tubes, cores, fittings, rods, or patterns into molds, using hand tools and depth gauges.
- 05Clean, finish, and lubricate molds and mold parts.
- 06Separate models or patterns from molds and examine products for accuracy.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers92% · +4%
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic89% · −4%
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers88% · −11%
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters87% · +11%
- Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators85% · +2%
Change into molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers92% · $48,110
- Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators91% · $46,880
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic91% · $43,960
- Pourers and Casters, Metal90% · $51,810
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic89% · $44,350