What Does a Foundry Moldmaker Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

Foundry Moldmaker

Also called: Coremaker · Sand Molder · Foundry Molder · Mold and Core Maker

What foundry moldmakers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated October 18, 2026By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team

What does a foundry moldmaker do?

Foundry mold and coremakers make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries. The median pay is $48,110 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -23.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$48,110
$23.13/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-23.0%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
800
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
12,700
Employment, 2025

What foundry moldmakers do

Foundry moldmakers build the molds metal is poured into. They pack sand around patterns, make cores, set cores in molds, close and clamp molds, and repair mold damage before pouring.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline as foundries automate.

Typical duties

Pack sand molds
Make cores
Set cores
Close molds
Repair molds
Check sand quality
Clean patterns

Work environment and schedule

Moldmakers work in dusty foundries.

Schedule: Full time, often shifts.

A day in the life

6:00 AMCheck sand properties.
6:30 AMRam a mold.
8:00 AMStrip the pattern.
9:00 AMSet cores.

See a full day in the life of a foundry moldmaker →

Foundry Moldmaker salary

Half of foundry moldmakers earned more than $48,110 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,160 for the lowest 10% to $62,640 for the top 10%.

$37,16010th$48,110Median$62,64090th

Full foundry moldmaker pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a foundry moldmaker

Finish high school
Get hired at a foundry
Learn molding
Become a moldmaker
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a foundry moldmaker →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Sand molding
Core making
Core setting
Mold repair
Sand testing

People skills

Attention to detail
Teamwork
Stamina
Reliability

All foundry moldmaker skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Hands-on craft
No degree needed
Teamwork
Industrial pay

Cons

Steep decline
Dust and silica
Heavy work
Heat

Certifications and licenses

AFS training: American Foundry Society.
Silica safety training: Required.
OSHA 10: Safety.
Crane training: Helpful.

Career path

Foundry Laborer: Entry.
Moldmaker: Molds.
Lead Molder: Lead.
Foundry Supervisor: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Foundry Moldmaker training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as ram a sand mold and set a core in a mold, safety and how to land your first job.

View Foundry Moldmaker training Is this career right for me?

Metal Pourer

Pour molten metal into molds to make castings.

$51,810
A few months on the job

Metal Patternmaker

Make the patterns foundries use to form casting molds.

$58,000
Months to years of training

Molding Machine Operator

Run injection molding and die casting machines that make plastic and metal parts.

$44,350
A few months on the job

Molder and Caster

Cast concrete, plaster, stone and composites into molds to make products.

$46,170
A year or more on the job

Compare: Foundry Moldmaker vs. Metal Pourer · Foundry Moldmaker vs. Metal Patternmaker · Foundry Moldmaker vs. Molding Machine Operator · Foundry Moldmaker vs. Molder and Caster

Foundry Moldmaker FAQ

Do I need a degree?

No.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects a steep decline.

Is dust a concern?

Yes, silica safety is required.

How much does a foundry moldmaker make?

The median annual wage for foundry moldmakers was $48,110 ($23.13 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,160 and the highest 10% earned more than $62,640.

How long does it take to become a foundry moldmaker?

Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a foundry moldmaker?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-4071 (Foundry mold and coremakers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Foundry mold and coremakers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.