Concrete Finisher
Place, level and finish concrete for slabs, floors, sidewalks and roads.
- $57,020
- 3–12 months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Molder and Caster
Also called: Casting Worker · Concrete Caster · Precast Worker · Mold Shaper
What molder and casters do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a molder and caster do?
Molders, shapers and casters, except metal and plastic, mold, shape, form, cast or carve products such as food, glass, concrete, stone, clay and plaster. The median pay is $46,170 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A year or more on the job, and employment is projected to grow +5.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$46,170$22.20/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.8%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year5,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA year or more on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs43,000Employment, 2025
What molder and casters do
Molders and casters make products in molds. They build and prepare forms, place reinforcement, pour concrete, plaster, cultured marble or composites, vibrate and finish, strip molds and inspect products like precast panels, countertops and statues.
A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects faster than average growth.
Typical duties
- Prepare molds
- Apply release agents
- Place reinforcement
- Pour materials
- Vibrate and finish
- Strip molds
- Inspect products
Work environment and schedule
Workers are in precast plants, countertop shops and art foundries.
Schedule: Full time, early starts.
A day in the life
- Clean molds.
- Apply release agent.
- Set rebar cages.
- Pour concrete.
See a full day in the life of a molder and caster →
Molder and Caster salary
Half of molder and casters earned more than $46,170 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,850 for the lowest 10% to $61,530 for the top 10%.
Full molder and caster pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a molder and caster
- Finish high school
- Get hired at a precast plant
- Learn pouring and finishing
- Earn ACI or PCI credentials
- Advance
A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a molder and caster →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Mold prep
- Concrete pouring
- Reinforcement
- Finishing
- Stripping
People skills
- Teamwork
- Stamina
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
All molder and caster skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Faster-than-average growth
- No degree needed
- Build real products
- Skill builds
Cons
- Heavy work
- Dust
- Early starts
- Weather in open yards
Certifications and licenses
- PCI certification: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute.
- ACI field testing: Concrete testing.
- Crane signal training: Helpful.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
Career path
- Laborer: Entry.
- Caster: Pour.
- Lead Caster: Lead.
- Plant Foreman: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Molder and Caster training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as pour and vibrate a precast form and strip a precast piece safely, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Molder and Caster vs. Concrete Finisher · Molder and Caster vs. Foundry Moldmaker · Molder and Caster vs. Fiberglass Laminator · Molder and Caster vs. Brickmason
Molder and Caster FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.
What do molders make?
Precast concrete, countertops, statues and more.
How much does a molder and caster make?
The median annual wage for molder and casters was $46,170 ($22.20 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,850 and the highest 10% earned more than $61,530.
How long does it take to become a molder and caster?
Most people need about A year or more on the job of training. A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a molder and caster?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.
More molder and caster questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9195 (Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic (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.