Pourers and Casters
O*NET title: Pourers and Casters, Metal
Operate hand-controlled mechanisms to pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds to produce castings or ingots.
Also called: Aluminum Pourer, Billet Header, Brass Pourer, Buggy Ladle Tender, Bull Ladle Tender, Busher
Median pay
$51,810
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$38,480 – $72,040
People employed
4,560
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.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 7.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 8.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
Pourers and Casters pay by state
Annual median pay by state (23 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What pourers and casters do
- 01Pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds and forms to produce ingots or other castings, using ladles or hand-controlled mechanisms.
- 02Read temperature gauges and observe color changes, adjusting furnace flames, torches, or electrical heating units as necessary to melt metal to specifications.
- 03Remove solidified steel or slag from pouring nozzles, using long bars or oxygen burners.
- 04Assemble and embed cores in casting frames, using hand tools and equipment.
- 05Examine molds to ensure they are clean, smooth, and properly coated.
- 06Collect samples, or signal workers to sample metal for analysis.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Education and Training
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
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 pourers and casters
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic90% · −11%
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers86% · −11%
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand83% · −18%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82% · −10%
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers82% · −20%
Change into pourers and casters
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers83% · $46,350
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders81% · $46,460
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers81% · $41,220
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders81% · $50,270
- Sewing Machine Operators81% · $36,670