Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operator Salary in 2026

    SOC: 51-4072.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $41,230
    per year
    Salary Range
    $32K – $60K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    154,820
    employed
    Job Growth
    -3.8%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operators Make?

    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $41,230 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $31,990 at the 10th percentile to $60,110 at the 90th percentile — a range of $28,120. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $70,390.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$31,990
    25th percentile$36,290
    Median (50th)$41,230
    75th percentile$49,100
    90th percentile$60,110
    10th: $31,990Median: $41,23090th: $60,110
    Section 02

    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operator Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Hawaiitop$70,390
    Maine$59,050
    Nevada$52,900
    Colorado$51,900
    Maryland$50,990
    Washington$47,640
    Minnesota$47,110
    Delaware$46,690
    Pennsylvania$46,300
    Utah$45,820
    Virginia$45,620
    Vermont$45,390
    Iowa$45,380
    California$45,380
    Kentucky$45,000
    Wisconsin$44,360
    Nebraska$44,250
    Missouri$44,130
    New Hampshire$43,880
    Montana$43,690
    Arizona$43,180
    Ohio$42,330
    Illinois$42,320
    Wyoming$42,030
    Rhode Island$41,650
    New York$41,600
    North Carolina$41,550
    Indiana$41,430
    Mississippi$41,260
    South Carolina$40,930
    West Virginia$40,710
    New Mexico$40,700
    Connecticut$40,580
    Oregon$40,270
    North Dakota$40,010
    South Dakota$38,920
    Kansas$38,890
    Florida$38,690
    Oklahoma$38,270
    Georgia$38,250
    Massachusetts$38,130
    Tennessee$38,090
    Michigan$38,000
    Texas$37,930
    Arkansas$37,640
    Louisiana$37,440
    Alabama$37,000
    New Jersey$35,910
    Idaho$35,080
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operators

    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA
    Highest paying
    $72,950
    top metro salary
    Hawaii
    $70,390
    $-2,560 vs highest
    Portland-South Portland, ME
    $60,660
    $-12,290 vs highest
    West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area
    $60,000
    $-12,950 vs highest
    Evansville, IN
    $59,830
    $-13,120 vs highest
    Maine
    $59,050
    $-13,900 vs highest
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area
    $57,320
    $-15,630 vs highest
    Fond du Lac, WI
    $56,310
    $-16,640 vs highest
    Section 04

    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operator Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$31,990 – $36,290
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$41,230
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$49,100
    Senior (15+ yrs)$60,110+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operator

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operators in Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA earn $72,950 — $31,720 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($49,100) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operatorthis career$41,230
    Industrial Machinery Mechanics$63,760
    Extruding and Drawing Machine Operator$46,980
    Forging Machine Operator$49,240
    Rolling Machine Operator$48,630

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    PathScorer compares your skills to Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Operator requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 51-4072.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.