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Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Production · SOC 51-4072
0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$44,350
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
15,700
Proj. Annual Openings
150,470
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure0.8%
Top Skills
1.Operations Monitoring
2.Active Listening
3.Reading Comprehension
4.Monitoring
5.Operation and Control
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
Common titles: Core Machine Operator, Die Cast Technician, Diecast Machine Operator, Machine Operator, Mold Setter, Mold Technician
Representative 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.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
- •Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- •Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
- •Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- •Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Tools & Technologies
Microsoft Excel · hotMicrosoft Office software · hotMicrosoft Outlook · hotSAP software · hotIntera Systems Hawk-iRobotWare DieCastVisi-Trak True-Trak 20/20
Related Occupations
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticMolders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic · BrightExtruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass FibersExtruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersMultiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
0.5%
Avg AI Exposure
1
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Outlook | Average | 4% Bright |
| Median Salary | $44,350 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |