Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $44,350 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.4% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 13,800
Employment of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 13,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,142
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,750
- Medicare (1.45%)$643
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$37,815
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,170 | $16.43 | $29,636 |
| 25th percentile | $37,270 | $17.92 | $32,126 |
| Median (50th) | $44,350 | $21.32 | $37,815 |
| 75th percentile | $51,020 | $24.53 | $43,175 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,600 | $29.62 | $51,676 |
Best cities for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $45,590 | $36,700 | $35,426 | 7,910 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,960 | $39,165 | $34,487 | 3,740 |
| 3 | Grand Rapids, MI | $37,760 | $31,166 | $32,619 | 3,150 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $39,790 | $32,711 | $32,614 | 5,280 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $43,500 | $35,380 | $31,432 | 2,490 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $47,960
- Chicago, IL — $45,590
- New York, NY — $43,500
- Detroit, MI — $39,790
- Grand Rapids, MI — $37,760
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,560 | +10.2% | $59,029 | $55,950 – $96,350 | 140 |
| Maryland | $63,460 | +24.5% | $50,519 | $36,630 – $73,060 | 230 |
| Maine | $59,230 | +0.3% | $46,955 | $46,350 – $78,830 | 470 |
| Minnesota | $49,590 | +5.3% | $40,177 | $37,060 – $79,200 | 2,230 |
| Nevada | $49,590 | −6.3% | $42,026 | $35,490 – $79,960 | 350 |
| Nebraska | $48,500 | +9.6% | $39,823 | $31,710 – $61,780 | 1,000 |
| Washington | $48,290 | +1.4% | $40,981 | $38,880 – $70,000 | 1,800 |
| Colorado | $48,200 | −7.1% | $39,496 | $41,670 – $59,220 | 2,160 |
| North Dakota | $47,780 | +19.4% | $40,571 | $40,590 – $62,260 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $47,610 | +8.5% | $40,435 | $39,070 – $62,590 | 1,080 |
| California | $47,240 | +4.1% | $38,639 | $36,790 – $61,470 | 9,250 |
| Kentucky | $47,110 | +4.7% | $38,502 | $33,970 – $67,810 | 4,340 |
| Arizona | $46,930 | +8.7% | $38,924 | $33,340 – $61,240 | 1,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,760 | +1.0% | $38,316 | $33,810 – $61,370 | 7,000 |
| Utah | $46,750 | +2.0% | $38,606 | $37,570 – $72,970 | 2,400 |
| Connecticut | $46,240 | +13.9% | $38,178 | $36,120 – $67,040 | 1,100 |
| Oregon | $46,200 | +14.7% | $36,089 | $34,310 – $66,730 | 1,780 |
| Oklahoma | $45,680 | +19.4% | $37,374 | $31,890 – $62,480 | 2,030 |
| Illinois | $45,500 | +7.5% | $36,632 | $36,090 – $61,950 | 10,680 |
| Virginia | $45,370 | −0.5% | $36,840 | $29,360 – $64,090 | 1,680 |
| South Carolina | $45,270 | +10.6% | $36,995 | $34,670 – $62,150 | 3,240 |
| Delaware | $45,220 | −3.1% | $36,681 | $36,310 – $58,330 | 120 |
| Iowa | $45,220 | −0.4% | $37,448 | $35,650 – $66,280 | 3,670 |
| Ohio | $44,830 | +5.9% | $37,750 | $35,700 – $61,860 | 11,050 |
| Arkansas | $44,790 | +19.0% | $36,635 | $31,110 – $58,940 | 2,520 |
| Vermont | $44,530 | −1.9% | $36,902 | $37,900 – $70,890 | 110 |
| New York | $44,500 | +7.0% | $36,130 | $35,560 – $63,120 | 3,320 |
| Indiana | $44,290 | +6.9% | $36,490 | $31,880 – $62,940 | 8,810 |
| Wisconsin | $44,230 | −0.3% | $36,554 | $34,630 – $59,530 | 8,590 |
| Missouri | $44,120 | −0.0% | $36,494 | $33,290 – $58,890 | 3,340 |
| Montana | $43,340 | −0.8% | $35,723 | $28,850 – $63,240 | 110 |
| Georgia | $43,250 | +13.1% | $35,310 | $35,030 – $66,980 | 2,060 |
| Kansas | $43,050 | +10.7% | $35,168 | $32,890 – $50,580 | 1,240 |
| Idaho | $42,690 | +21.7% | $35,327 | $34,100 – $57,770 | 520 |
| Massachusetts | $42,570 | +11.6% | $34,476 | $35,920 – $58,670 | 3,810 |
| West Virginia | $42,500 | +4.4% | $35,141 | $33,790 – $62,230 | 420 |
| Rhode Island | $42,020 | +0.9% | $34,984 | $31,200 – $60,760 | 430 |
| New Mexico | $41,990 | +3.2% | $35,081 | $33,110 – $49,200 | 250 |
| North Carolina | $41,630 | +0.2% | $34,477 | $31,370 – $59,170 | 7,570 |
| Texas | $41,140 | +8.5% | $35,236 | $29,780 – $59,540 | 7,460 |
| South Dakota | $40,750 | +4.7% | $34,923 | $34,420 – $54,850 | 840 |
| New Jersey | $39,950 | +11.3% | $33,599 | $32,220 – $60,800 | 2,450 |
| Mississippi | $39,730 | −3.7% | $33,246 | $31,250 – $57,350 | 550 |
| Michigan | $39,490 | +3.9% | $32,483 | $34,630 – $59,770 | 13,550 |
| Alabama | $39,010 | +5.4% | $31,839 | $29,010 – $58,810 | 5,900 |
| Tennessee | $38,820 | +1.9% | $33,372 | $30,750 – $57,450 | 3,730 |
| Louisiana | $38,650 | +3.2% | $32,462 | $30,260 – $49,020 | 90 |
| Florida | $38,440 | −0.6% | $33,067 | $31,200 – $58,040 | 3,290 |
| Wyoming | $38,160 | −9.2% | $32,842 | $36,940 – $52,260 | 60 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median salary for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $44,350 a year ($21.32 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,170 and the top 10% earn over $61,600. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $77,560. After taxes and local prices, Chicago, IL offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?
About 150,470 people work as molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.