Production
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Also called: Core Machine Operator, Core Maker, Core Stripper, Coremaker
US median pay
$48,110
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-23%
declining
Openings a year (US)
800
12,700 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.
What they do day to day
- Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections.
- Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools.
- Position patterns inside mold sections, and clamp sections together.
- Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring.
- Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
- Form and assemble slab cores around patterns, and position wire in mold sections to reinforce molds, using hand tools and glue.
- Move and position workpieces, such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces.
- Lift upper mold sections from lower sections, and remove molded patterns.
- Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into molds.
- Tend machines that bond cope and drag together to form completed shell molds.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Operation and Control2.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.6/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.4/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.2/5
- Coordination2.2/5
Knowledge
- English Language3.4/5
- Mechanical3.4/5
- Production and Processing3.3/5
- Education and Training3.3/5
- Administration and Management3.2/5
- Physics3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma64%
- Less than high school36%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.