Production
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Also called: Bed Laborer, Caster, Injection Molding Machine Operator, Machine Operator
US median pay
$46,170
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.8%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
5,100
43,000 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Brush or spray mold surfaces with parting agents or insert paper into molds to ensure smoothness and prevent sticking or seepage.
- Engrave or stamp identifying symbols, letters, or numbers on products.
- Assemble, insert, and adjust wires, tubes, cores, fittings, rods, or patterns into molds, using hand tools and depth gauges.
- Clean, finish, and lubricate molds and mold parts.
- Separate models or patterns from molds and examine products for accuracy.
- Set the proper operating temperature for each casting.
- Load or stack filled molds in ovens, dryers, or curing boxes, or on storage racks or carts.
- Align and assemble parts to produce completed products, using gauges and hand tools.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operation and Control3.0/5
- Operations Monitoring2.9/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.8/5
- Time Management2.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.6/5
- Coordination2.6/5
- Management of Personnel Resources2.5/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.5/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing3.3/5
- Mechanical3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- English Language2.6/5
- Mathematics2.6/5
- Engineering and Technology2.5/5
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.
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.