Hiring guide · Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing
How to Hire a Foundry Moldmaker
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring foundry moldmakers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $48,110), recruit through technical college automotive, diesel, aviation and machining programs, verify AFS training where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for foundry moldmakers
There are about 12,700 foundry moldmakers employed in the U.S., with roughly 800 openings each year. Employment is projected to change -23.0% from 2025–35 (a projected decline). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $37,160–$41,870 | $17.87–$20.13 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $57,350 | $27.57 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $62,640 | $30.12 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Sand molding
- Attention to detail
Nice-to-haves
- AFS training
- Silica safety training
- OSHA 10
- Experience with rammers
Where to find foundry moldmakers
- Technical college automotive, diesel, aviation and machining programs
- Manufacturer and dealer training programs
- Military transition and SkillBridge programs
- Manufacturing career fairs and referrals
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Coremaker, Sand Molder, Foundry Molder, Mold and Core Maker
Screening checklist
- ASE, FAA A&P, NIMS or other credentials as applicable
- A hands-on diagnostic, measurement or setup test
- Tool inventory for roles where technicians supply tools
- Safety record and lockout/tagout knowledge
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Have you worked in a foundry?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “Can you lift?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
3. “How do you check quality?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Can you work shifts?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
5. “Why foundry work?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Ram a Sand Mold (see the steps)
- Set a Core in a Mold (see the steps)
- Test Foundry Sand (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Flask, Ramming, Green sand
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Foundry Moldmaker 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Foundry Moldmaker training. Show them the path forward: Foundry Laborer → Moldmaker → Lead Molder → Foundry Supervisor.
Hiring foundry moldmakers: FAQ
How much should I pay a foundry moldmaker?
The U.S. median wage for foundry moldmakers is $48,110 per year ($23.13/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($41,870), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($57,350). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a foundry moldmaker have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for AFS training and Silica safety training where relevant, plus skills such as sand molding, core making, and core setting.
How long does it take to train a new foundry moldmaker?
Becoming qualified typically takes A few months on the job. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “moderate-term on-the-job training.”