Description

Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.

Interests

Realistic
Conventional

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Support
Relationships
Independence

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Integrity
Independence

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.

Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes
Handling and Moving Objects
Getting Information
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Detailed Work Activities

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Technology Skills

Spreadsheet software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Electronic mail software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Office suite software

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness
Manual Dexterity
Control Precision
Multilimb Coordination
Deductive Reasoning

Skills

Operations Monitoring
Active Listening
Monitoring
Operation and Control
Reading Comprehension

Knowledge

Production and Processing
Mechanical
Mathematics

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Certificate name

Machining Level I - Job Planning, Benchwork, and Layout

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name

Machining Level I - Grinding I

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name

Stamping Level II - Operate with Deep Draw Dies II

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Advanced

Certificate name

Master of Die Casting Technology.

Certifying Organization

North American Die Casting Association

Type

Advanced

Certificate name

Machining Level I - Manual Turning Between Centers

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name	Certifying Organization	Type
Machining Level I - Job Planning, Benchwork, and Layout	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core
Machining Level I - Grinding I	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core
Stamping Level II - Operate with Deep Draw Dies II	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Advanced
Master of Die Casting Technology.	North American Die Casting Association	Advanced
Machining Level I - Manual Turning Between Centers	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Annual Income
Low (10%)	$38,935
Median (50%)	$40,876
High (90%)	$42,048

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	$42,465
Mid Level	N/A
Senior Level	N/A
Expert Level	N/A

Employability

There are currently 158,800 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 154,900 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -3%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of -3%

Related Careers

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Projected Job Growth

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Career Cluster(s)

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RealisticConventional

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Career Cluster(s)

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Career Cluster(s)

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Career Cluster(s)

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RealisticConventional

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Projected Job Growth

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Career Cluster(s)

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RealisticConventional

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Career Cluster(s)

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Career Cluster(s)

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RealisticConventional

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.