Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic Salary
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic earn a median $46,170 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$46,170
$22.20 per hour
Range
$35,850 – $61,530
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
33,190
across the U.S.
▲1.1%
Pay trend: The median for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic in the U.S. rose from $45,690 (May 2024) to $46,170 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.3%.
What 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.8% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 5,100
- Self-employed
- 23%
Employment of molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,100 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.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$39,278
per year · effective tax rate 14.9%
$3,273Monthly
$1,637Twice a month
$1,511Every 2 weeks
$18.88Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,360
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,863
- Medicare (1.45%)$669
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,278
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,850 | $17.24 | $30,985 |
| 25th percentile | $39,280 | $18.88 | $33,741 |
| Median (50th) | $46,170 | $22.20 | $39,278 |
| 75th percentile | $53,000 | $25.48 | $44,766 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,530 | $29.58 | $51,619 |
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $57,860 | +17.2% | $46,708 | $47,110 – $62,280 | 150 |
| Hawaii | $55,990 | −25.1% | $44,443 | $34,430 – $87,360 | 40 |
| Oregon | $52,740 | +7.0% | $40,771 | $39,270 – $64,060 | 410 |
| Connecticut | $52,520 | +4.3% | $42,941 | $40,030 – $65,420 | 170 |
| Washington | $51,780 | +7.7% | $43,785 | $43,010 – $68,170 | 1,130 |
| New Hampshire | $51,470 | +1.5% | $43,536 | $37,280 – $67,650 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $50,550 | +2.1% | $40,489 | $37,630 – $72,520 | 1,200 |
| Maryland | $50,360 | −2.2% | $40,616 | $36,910 – $67,480 | 110 |
| Colorado | $49,530 | +8.9% | $40,506 | $39,250 – $63,760 | 390 |
| California | $49,190 | +1.7% | $40,064 | $37,790 – $70,720 | 3,590 |
| Arizona | $49,060 | +4.0% | $40,582 | $40,040 – $55,260 | 470 |
| Vermont | $48,660 | +2.0% | $40,082 | $39,540 – $63,650 | 240 |
| Maine | $48,640 | +3.3% | $39,161 | $42,080 – $57,540 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $48,030 | +4.7% | $39,440 | $38,820 – $71,660 | 550 |
| Delaware | $47,940 | +1.5% | $38,716 | $38,700 – $62,700 | 90 |
| Rhode Island | $47,610 | −0.0% | $39,266 | $42,500 – $69,540 | — |
| Kansas | $47,360 | +0.7% | $38,391 | $39,170 – $61,780 | 680 |
| New Jersey | $47,360 | −3.6% | $39,165 | $38,160 – $71,780 | 620 |
| Illinois | $47,180 | +3.2% | $37,899 | $34,900 – $62,080 | 1,230 |
| Georgia | $47,160 | −2.4% | $38,248 | $33,210 – $64,000 | 760 |
| New Mexico | $46,970 | — | $38,868 | $35,320 – $54,080 | — |
| Louisiana | $46,870 | −2.9% | $38,820 | $37,220 – $76,980 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $46,460 | +13.3% | $37,965 | $30,850 – $55,410 | 220 |
| Indiana | $46,400 | −1.3% | $38,123 | $36,070 – $63,990 | 1,520 |
| Missouri | $46,380 | +10.2% | $38,204 | $34,700 – $59,880 | 690 |
| Iowa | $46,220 | +3.3% | $38,213 | $30,140 – $59,380 | 340 |
| Nebraska | $46,220 | −3.0% | $38,094 | $39,420 – $57,440 | 240 |
| North Dakota | $46,170 | +2.1% | $39,278 | $40,170 – $52,260 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $46,110 | +7.9% | $37,620 | $36,010 – $63,590 | 550 |
| New York | $45,940 | −9.0% | $37,209 | $36,850 – $64,850 | 1,150 |
| Tennessee | $45,860 | +15.9% | $39,029 | $33,330 – $56,720 | 880 |
| Minnesota | $45,790 | +1.6% | $37,341 | $38,610 – $58,490 | 900 |
| Virginia | $45,410 | +10.0% | $36,870 | $36,720 – $57,180 | 720 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,310 | −1.1% | $37,196 | $35,650 – $59,630 | 1,690 |
| Michigan | $45,250 | +6.4% | $36,866 | $37,020 – $57,080 | 1,470 |
| Florida | $45,030 | +3.0% | $38,362 | $36,290 – $56,710 | 2,410 |
| Nevada | $45,020 | −2.9% | $38,354 | $34,580 – $61,110 | 430 |
| Ohio | $44,560 | −0.2% | $37,541 | $37,120 – $62,360 | 1,560 |
| Utah | $43,440 | +10.6% | $36,095 | $35,300 – $57,790 | 710 |
| West Virginia | $43,300 | +17.1% | $35,748 | $37,220 – $51,280 | 260 |
| Idaho | $42,620 | −3.0% | $35,275 | $36,940 – $49,070 | 210 |
| Kentucky | $41,590 | +3.3% | $34,260 | $31,330 – $48,320 | 370 |
| Texas | $40,010 | +2.7% | $34,328 | $28,910 – $57,270 | 2,550 |
| North Carolina | $38,190 | −2.3% | $31,851 | $30,930 – $55,260 | 550 |
| Mississippi | $37,580 | +25.0% | $31,604 | $24,440 – $50,740 | 210 |
| Wyoming | $37,510 | — | $32,319 | $34,320 – $44,890 | 80 |
| Alabama | $36,730 | +1.4% | $30,121 | $30,940 – $51,340 | 820 |
| Arkansas | $35,620 | −15.0% | $29,624 | $29,820 – $45,570 | 190 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender | $46,460 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.3% |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $43,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Etcher and Engraver | $43,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,270 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.6% |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender | $41,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Helpers--Production Worker | $39,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | -8.2% |
| Tire Builder | $57,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,570 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.9% |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,760 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic make?
The national median salary for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic is $46,170 a year ($22.20 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,850 and the top 10% earn over $61,530. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic the most?
Montana has the highest median pay at $57,860.
How many molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?
About 33,190 people work as molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic nationwide.