Jobs Similar to Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Also called: Molders, Shapers, and Casters
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Tire Builders, Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders and Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic: $46,170 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Tire Builders
83% similar · $57,390 (+24%) · High school · Same group
- 2Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
83% similar · $54,430 (+18%) · High school
- 3Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
83% similar · $51,330 (+11%) · High school
- 4Foundry Mold and Coremakers
82% similar · $48,110 (+4%) · High school
- 5Machine Feeders and Offbearers
81% similar · $41,220 (−11%) · High school
- 6Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
81% similar · $43,960 (−5%) · High school
- 7Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
81% similar · $50,270 (+9%) · High school · Same group
- 8Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
81% similar · $46,880 (+2%) · High school
- 9Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
81% similar · $43,220 (−6%) · High school · Same group
- 10Helpers--Production Workers
80% similar · $39,070 (−15%) · High school · Same group
- 11Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
80% similar · $46,350 (0%) · High school
- 12Recycling and Reclamation Workers
80% similar · $40,240 (broader group) · High school
- 13Pourers and Casters, Metal
80% similar · $51,810 (+12%) · High school
- 14Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
80% similar · $61,770 (+34%) · High school
- 15Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $46,330 (0%) · High school
- 16Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
80% similar · $47,920 (+4%) · High school
- 17Riggers
80% similar · $62,640 (+36%) · High school
- 18Rock Splitters, Quarry
80% similar · $48,740 (+6%) · High school
- 19Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
80% similar · $38,180 (−17%) · High school
- 20Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
80% similar · $53,710 (+16%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic.
- Riggers80% similar · $62,640 (+36%)
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers80% similar · $61,770 (+34%)
- Tire Builders83% similar · $57,390 (+24%)
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders83% similar · $54,430 (+18%)
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers80% similar · $53,710 (+16%)
- Pourers and Casters, Metal80% similar · $51,810 (+12%)
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs for former molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic →
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers (92)
- Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators (91)
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (91)
- Pourers and Casters, Metal (90)
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (89)
- Furniture Finishers (87)
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (87)
- Rock Splitters, Quarry (84)
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers (83)
- Floor Sanders and Finishers (81)
Questions about jobs like molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
What jobs are most similar to molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Tire Builders (83% similar), Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (83% similar), Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (83% similar), Foundry Mold and Coremakers (82% similar) and Machine Feeders and Offbearers (81% similar).
Which jobs like molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Riggers ($62,640, +36%; usually a high school diploma), Pump Operators ($61,770, +34%; usually a high school diploma) and Tire Builders ($57,390, +24%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic ($46,170). Without more preparation than molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic usually need: Riggers, Pump Operators and Tire Builders.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.