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Skilled Trades

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$46,170

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$36k – $62k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 4 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Plan a path to Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

    Entry / Junior

    $35,850

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

    Established

    $46,170

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

    Senior

    $53,850

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Read work orders or examine parts to determine parts or sections of products to be produced.
  • •Trim or remove excess material, using scrapers, knives, or band saws.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.