Career Overview
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 Known As
- Caster
- Mold Mechanic
- Molder
- Molding Line Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Adobe Block Maker
- Adobe Maker
- Almond Paste Molder
- Artificial Candy Maker
- Batter Out
- Bed Laborer
- Bit Gatherer
- Block Maker
- Blower
- Bow Maker
- Broom Maker
- Bunch Maker
- Burial Vault Maker
- Burial Vault Setter
- Candy Roller
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Read work orders or examine parts to determine parts or sections of products to be produced.
- Trim or remove excess material, using scrapers, knives, or band saws.
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Selective Attention
- Multilimb Coordination
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Band saws
- Belt conveyors
- C clamps
- Centrifugal casting machines
- Cleaning scrapers
- Combination squares
- Compressing machines
- Computer terminals
- Continuous casting machines
- Depth gauges
- Desktop computers
- Dial calipers
- Die casting machines
- Digital micrometers
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Standing
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $34,950 |
| Median | $45,690 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $61,050 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 34,750
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,700
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $41,690
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $41,230
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,130
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,700
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.