Occupation · SOC 51-9195
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 wage
$45,690
$34,950–$61,050
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
34,750
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlReading ComprehensionOperations MonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingQuality Control AnalysisMonitoringWritingTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingCoordinationManagement of Personnel ResourcesComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingTroubleshootingService OrientationInstructingEquipment SelectionActive LearningRepairingNegotiationLearning StrategiesEquipment MaintenancePersuasionMathematicsSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations AnalysisInstallationScienceProgramming
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServicePublic Safety and SecurityTransportationAdministrativeDesignPhysicsChemistryPersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsSales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingBuilding and ConstructionSociology and AnthropologyCommunications and MediaPsychologyTelecommunicationsLaw and GovernmentPhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryGeographyFood ProductionFine ArtsForeign LanguageTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyBiology
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM softwareDassault Systemes SolidWorksInventory control softwareMastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordTimekeeping software
Representative tasks
Handling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesGetting InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDocumenting/Recording InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsProcessing InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentTraining and Teaching OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentAnalyzing Data or InformationThinking CreativelyRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoaching and Developing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsWorking with ComputersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersSelling or Influencing OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with People Outside the Organization
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Work orders and part drawings — read and interpret under direct supervision to identify which product sections require molding or shaping.Mold components and raw materials — locate and stage at the workstation following verbal or written instructions from a lead operator.Basic hand tools such as scrapers and knives — use under close guidance to trim excess flash from freshly cast rubber or ceramic parts.Mold surfaces and cavities — inspect visually for obvious defects or contamination before each production cycle with supervisor support.Arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity — apply when positioning workpieces into molds under direct oversight on the production floor.Safety protocols for molding equipment — follow consistently as instructed, including PPE requirements and lockout/tagout procedures.Finished castings — compare against a physical sample or template to confirm general dimensional conformance with guidance from a trainer.Production quantities and completed units — record on paper logs or basic spreadsheet templates as directed by the shift supervisor.Oral instructions from lead operators — receive, confirm understanding, and carry out routine molding and casting tasks without independent deviation.Band saw and trimming equipment — operate at introductory level for straight cuts on excess material under step-by-step supervision.
developing
Work orders and part specifications — read independently and translate into setup decisions for assigned molds across a full production shift.Scrapers, knives, and band saws — select and apply the appropriate tool to trim or remove excess material from castings with minimal rework.Mold temperature, pressure, and cure time parameters — monitor and adjust within established ranges to maintain consistent part quality.Minor surface defects in molded parts — identify using near vision inspection and apply approved corrective actions without escalating every instance.Multilimb coordination — demonstrate when simultaneously controlling mold halves, material feeds, and hand tools during routine casting cycles.Inventory management software — use to record material usage and flag low-stock conditions for rubber, ceramic slip, or other casting media.Production schedule requirements — meet daily output targets by organizing workload and managing cycle times across multiple mold cavities.Finished parts — sort and segregate into conforming and nonconforming bins based on established visual and dimensional acceptance criteria.New crew members at a similar level — provide informal guidance on correct tool handling and trimming technique during shared shifts.Repeat defect patterns across a batch — recognize and report to the supervisor with supporting observations to prompt process adjustments.
proficient
Complex work orders involving multi-section assemblies — interpret autonomously, determining optimal molding sequence and tooling setup without supervisor input.Full trimming and finishing operations — execute across the complete range of materials including rubber, plaster, and ceramic using scrapers, knives, and band saws.Mold wear, misalignment, and parting-line flash — diagnose root causes and implement corrective adjustments to molds and process parameters independently.Control precision — apply consistently when setting cure pressures and temperatures to achieve tight-tolerance parts on the first production run.CAD and CAM software — use to review digital part models and verify that mold configurations match design intent before production commences.Inductive reasoning — apply to isolated quality incidents, drawing generalizable conclusions about process drift or material variation across production runs.Cross-functional communication with engineers and quality staff — convey molding process observations clearly using written reports and electronic mail.Selective attention — sustain across extended production runs to detect subtle dimensional or surface-finish deviations before they propagate through a batch.Time accounting and production tracking software — maintain accurate records of cycle times, downtime events, and yield rates to support process improvement.Unusual or non-routine casting geometries — develop and validate effective trimming and finishing approaches through systematic trial on the shop floor.
advanced
Production and processing knowledge — apply at an organizational level to design molding workflows that maximize throughput and minimize scrap across the facility.Work order interpretation standards and quality acceptance criteria — author and communicate so that all operators apply consistent judgment across shifts.CAD/CAM toolpaths and mold specifications — review and approve before release to production, integrating mechanical knowledge to prevent downstream defects.Capital equipment selection for trimming and casting operations — evaluate and recommend, balancing capability, cost, and workforce skill level.Mentorship of developing and emerging molders — lead structured on-the-job training programs that build manual dexterity, tool selection, and process knowledge.Recurring quality and yield data — analyze using spreadsheet and reporting tools to identify systemic process gaps and sponsor targeted improvement projects.Inventory management systems and supplier relationships — oversee to ensure uninterrupted supply of casting media, release agents, and tooling components.Safety culture and compliance standards for molding operations — champion across the department, translating regulations into daily practices and audit readiness.Cross-departmental production goals — negotiate and align with engineering, quality, and scheduling leadership to set realistic and achievable output targets.Organizational molding capability — benchmark against industry standards and drive adoption of updated techniques, materials, or digital tools to sustain competitive performance.
Also known as
145 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Adobe Block MakerAdobe MakerAlmond Paste MolderArtificial Candy MakerBatter OutBed LaborerBit GathererBlock MakerBlowerBow MakerBroom MakerBunch MakerBurial Vault MakerBurial Vault SetterCandy RollerCasterCatheter BuilderCell BuilderCell MakerCement Fittings MakerCigar RollerClay ModelerClay MolderClay ThrowerCompo CasterComposite TechnicianComposition MolderConcrete Float MakerConcrete Mixer DriverConcrete Pipe MakerConcrete Stone FabricatorConcrete Vault MakerCorrugatorCultured Marble Products MakerDemolderDenture Model MakerDenture PackerEar Mold Laboratory TechnicianEncapsulatorFilling Operator