Extruding Machine Operator
Run machines that push metal or plastic through dies to make tubes, pipes and profiles.
- $47,720
- A few months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Molding Machine Operator
Also called: Injection Molding Operator · Die Cast Operator · Casting Machine Operator · Molding Technician
What molding machine operators 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 molding machine operator do?
Molding, coremaking and casting machine setters, operators and tenders, metal and plastic, set up, operate or tend metal or plastic molding, casting or coremaking machines. The median pay is $44,350 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -3.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$44,350$21.32/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-3.4%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year13,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs150,000Employment, 2025
What molding machine operators do
Molding machine operators make parts in molds. They run injection molding and die casting machines, load material, remove parts, trim flash, inspect quality, and help set up molds and adjust process settings.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects slight decline, with many openings due to size.
Typical duties
- Run molding machines
- Load material
- Remove and trim parts
- Inspect quality
- Adjust settings
- Change molds
- Record production
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in plastics and die casting plants.
Schedule: Full time, often 12-hour shifts.
A day in the life
- Check the press.
- Load resin.
- Run parts.
- Inspect for short shots.
See a full day in the life of a molding machine operator →
Molding Machine Operator salary
Half of molding machine operators earned more than $44,350 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,170 for the lowest 10% to $61,600 for the top 10%.
Full molding machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a molding machine operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn the press
- Learn mold changes
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a molding machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Machine operation
- Part inspection
- Mold changes
- Process settings
- Trimming
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Focus
- Teamwork
All molding machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Many openings
- No degree needed
- Path to process tech
- Steady work
Cons
- Repetitive
- Heat
- Shift work
- Noise
Certifications and licenses
- Injection molding certification: RJG or Paulson.
- NADCA training: Die casting.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
Career path
- Operator: Entry.
- Setup Technician: Mold changes.
- Process Technician: Process.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Molding Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as inspect molded parts for defects and fix a short shot, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Forming Machine Operator
Run machines that press and form materials like clay, powder and pellets into shapes.
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Foundry Moldmaker
Build sand molds and cores that shape metal castings.
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Production Assembler
Put together products and components on factory lines, following precise instructions.
- $44,650
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Compare: Molding Machine Operator vs. Extruding Machine Operator · Molding Machine Operator vs. Forming Machine Operator · Molding Machine Operator vs. Foundry Moldmaker · Molding Machine Operator vs. Production Assembler
Molding Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects slight decline, with many openings.
Can I advance?
Yes, to process technician.
How much does a molding machine operator make?
The median annual wage for molding machine operators was $44,350 ($21.32 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,170 and the highest 10% earned more than $61,600.
How long does it take to become a molding machine operator?
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 molding machine operator?
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.
More molding machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-4072 (Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, 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.