Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
SOC: 51-4071 O*NET: 51-4071.00
Median Salary
$45,700
per year
Job Growth
📉 -25.9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.
What does a Foundry Mold and Coremakers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,220
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,370
25th percentile
Median
$45,700
50th percentile
Experienced
$51,360
75th percentile
Top Earners
$61,390
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,220
25th
$39,370
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$45,700
Mean: $46,910
75th
$51,360
90th
$61,390
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $25,170 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,370 and $51,360
- •Salary spread is 26.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 12,720 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:12,700
Top Industries
Manufacturing98%
Primary Metal Manufacturing71.1%
Foundries68.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-25.9%
Annual Openings:900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)12,700
Current
2034 (Projected)9,400
-25.9%
-3,300
Employment Change
-25.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Foundry Mold and Coremakers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 32 locations
Michigan
1,700 jobs$44,5204.68x
Pennsylvania
1,200 jobs$42,9202.43x
Ohio
1,100 jobs$46,8902.41x
Wisconsin
910 jobs$44,4203.77x
Indiana
660 jobs$47,8202.50x
Alabama
650 jobs$45,7203.75x
Missouri
610 jobs$59,3002.55x
Iowa
610 jobs$45,7004.75x
California
610 jobs$42,7900.41x
Tennessee
520 jobs$43,1501.93x
Minnesota
390 jobs$49,8401.60x
Illinois
390 jobs$48,3200.77x
Texas
350 jobs$37,0900.31x
Georgia
330 jobs$51,4100.83x
Oregon
250 jobs$65,0201.56x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Machine Feeders and Offbearers100%
2 shared skills
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers50%
2 shared skills
Recycling and Reclamation Workers50%
2 shared skills
Packers and Packagers, Hand50%
1 shared skills
Sewing Machine Operators50%
1 shared skills
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders50%
2 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
Senior Level
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Move and position workpieces, such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Position patterns inside mold sections, and clamp sections together.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Tend machines that bond cope and drag together to form completed shell molds.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into molds.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Lift upper mold sections from lower sections, and remove molded patterns.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Form and assemble slab cores around patterns, and position wire in mold sections to reinforce molds, using hand tools and glue.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Foundry Mold and Coremakers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Foundry Mold and Coremakers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.41
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.40
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.11
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.03
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.95
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.94
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.4
Dependability
4.4
Self-Control
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Concern for Others
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.9
Cooperation
3.8
Integrity
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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