Career comparison
Foundry Moldmaker vs. Metal Pourer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Metal pourers earn more at the median ($51,810 vs. $48,110), while foundry moldmakers usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Foundry moldmakers build sand molds and cores that shape metal castings. Metal pourers pour molten metal into molds to make castings.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Foundry Moldmaker | Metal Pourer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $48,110 ($23.13/hr) | $51,810 ($24.91/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,160 – $62,640 | $38,480 – $72,040 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -23.0% (a projected decline) | -5.0% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 800 | 400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few months on the job | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | AFS training | Molten metal safety |
| Work setting | Moldmakers work in dusty foundries.. | Pourers work in hot, dusty foundries.. |
What each job does
Foundry Moldmaker
- Pack sand molds
- Make cores
- Set cores
- Close molds
- Repair molds
Metal Pourer
- Pour molten metal
- Control pour rate
- Skim slag
- Check temperature
- Fill molds
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, teamwork, and shift work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose foundry moldmaker if…
- I like hands-on work
- I don’t mind dust
- I like teamwork
Choose metal pourer if…
- I like foundry work
- I’m steady-handed
- I can handle heat
Still torn? Take the Foundry Moldmaker fit quiz and the Metal Pourer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, foundry moldmaker or metal pourer?
Metal Pourers earn more at the median: $51,810 versus $48,110 for foundry moldmakers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Foundry Moldmakers typically train faster (A few months on the job) than metal pourers (A few months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects metal pourers to grow -5.0% from 2025–35, compared with -23.0% for foundry moldmakers.