Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
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.
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic 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. The role reports a median annual salary of $45,690 in the US and is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.53 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Monitoring.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £31,717 a year for Process operatives n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8119). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
No official India pay figure for this career: it falls in more than one occupation group, and the Government of India's labour survey (PLFS) publishes pay only by occupation group.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
What you'd actually do
- 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.
- Construct or form molds for use in casting clay or plaster objects, using plaster, fiberglass, rubber, casting machines, patterns, or flasks.
- Pour, pack, spread, or press plaster, concrete, or other materials into or around models or molds.
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic do?
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.
How much does Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic earn?
The median annual salary for Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic in the US is $45,690.
What is the job outlook for Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic?
The role is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 41,700 workers.
How do I become molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic?
Our AI-durability model gives Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic a score of 0.53 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.