How much does a molder make?
Answer: A typical molder in the United States makes $46,170 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 33,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Molder pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,850 | $46,170 | $61,530 | about 33,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $51,780 | about 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $50,550 | about 1,000 |
| California | $49,190 | about 4,000 |
| Wisconsin | $48,030 | about 550 |
| Kansas | $47,360 | about 680 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, skill, the kind of employer or industry, and location; more specialized work or a certification an employer values may pay more. Working extra hours can raise total earnings, while fame usually matters little in this production job.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a molder do?
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.
What's a typical day like?
They read an order, coat a mold so material will not stick, then pour or press in clay, plaster, concrete, or another material. After it sets or is heated, they remove the piece, trim extra material, and check its size and finish.
How to get this job
In the U.S., most start after high school or a GED, though some jobs accept less education. New molders often need little experience and learn on the job over days to a year; related registered apprenticeships are also available.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Molders can make food products and candles as well as figurines, tile, and pipes—an unusually wide mix of things to shape.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes519195.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-9195.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY