How much does a foundry worker make?

In the U.S., experience and useful skills—such as making different mold or core types—can raise pay, while the industry and employer also matter. Pay differs by location, and evening, weekend, or overtime shifts can change how much a worker earns overall.

Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries. Excludes “Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic” (51-4072) and “Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic” (51-9195).

What's a typical day like?

They pack sand around patterns, smooth and repair molds, and set cores inside before clamping the mold sections together. They may move heavy pieces with a crane and ready the mold for molten metal.

In the U.S., employers often prefer a high school diploma or GED and train new hires on the job, usually for days to a year. You can also start through an apprenticeship such as Coremaker or Molder.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

About 90% of manufactured goods in the U.S. contain metal castings—so cast parts are hidden in many everyday things.

The US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.