EN

Occupation · SOC 51-9195

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, except Metal and Plastic

There are 33,190 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $46,170 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
33,190
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$46,170
Median pay a year
Middle half: $39,280–$53,000
5,100
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.8%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 128 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $47,640 · LCA filings 0970$47,6400
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $42,490 · LCA filings 0790$42,4900
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $45,410 · LCA filings 0750$45,4100
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $46,650 · LCA filings 0720$46,6500
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $56,770 · LCA filings 0660$56,7700
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $47,370 · LCA filings 0590$47,3700
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $45,480 · LCA filings 0570$45,4800
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $46,480 · LCA filings 0570$46,4800
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $45,790 · LCA filings 0520$45,7900
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $55,530 · LCA filings 0500$55,5300

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Vineland, NJEmployment 150 · LCA filings 0$68,4901500
Bozeman, MTEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$61,010500
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$60,1301300
Modesto, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$59,990700
New Orleans–Metairie, LAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$59,320400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $44,866 · Level III $50,606 · Level IV $56,326$39,146$44,866$50,606$56,326
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $35,901 · Level III $40,997 · Level IV $46,072$30,826$35,901$40,997$46,072
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $44,117 · Level III $49,088 · Level IV $54,059$39,146$44,117$49,088$54,059
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $41,371 · Level III $46,717 · Level IV $52,083$36,005$41,371$46,717$52,083
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $52,998 · Level III $57,678 · Level IV $62,379$48,298$52,998$57,678$62,379
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $44,429 · Level III $48,630 · Level IV $52,853$40,206$44,429$48,630$52,853
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $42,806 · Level III $46,488 · Level IV $50,149$39,146$42,806$46,488$50,149
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $43,451 · Level III $47,986 · Level IV $52,541$38,896$43,451$47,986$52,541
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $43,534 · Level III $48,027 · Level IV $52,520$39,042$43,534$48,027$52,520
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $49,067 · Level III $55,890 · Level IV $62,733$42,224$49,067$55,890$62,733

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

See Molders, Shapers, and Casters, except Metal and Plastic in every metro area

All 128 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology