Skilled Trades
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.
Median salary (BLS)
$46,170
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$36k – $62k
Job outlook
+6% (faster than average)
AI exposure
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 4 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.
Plan a path to Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Entry / Junior
$35,850
~2 yrs to advance
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Established
$46,170
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Senior
$53,850
Key skills
A typical 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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.