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Occupation · SOC 51-4072

Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

There are 150,470 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $44,350 a year. The most jobs are in Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
150,470
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$44,350
Median pay a year
Middle half: $37,270–$51,020
13,800
Annual openings
10-year change: −3.4%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 220 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $45,590 · LCA filings 07,910$45,5900
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $39,790 · LCA filings 05,280$39,7900
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $47,960 · LCA filings 03,740$47,9600
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MIMedian pay $37,760 · LCA filings 03,150$37,7600
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $43,500 · LCA filings 02,490$43,5000
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $43,970 · LCA filings 02,280$43,9700
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIMedian pay $43,390 · LCA filings 02,280$43,3900
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $44,860 · LCA filings 02,090$44,8600
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $45,100 · LCA filings 02,040$45,1000
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $45,570 · LCA filings 01,910$45,5700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 140 · LCA filings 0$77,5601400
Bremerton–Silverdale–Port Orchard, WAEmployment 180 · LCA filings 0$74,6501800
Saginaw, MIEmployment 280 · LCA filings 0$74,1302800
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$66,5401000
Portland–South Portland, MEEmployment 320 · LCA filings 0$62,6903200

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
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $41,870 · Level III $46,946 · Level IV $52,000$36,816$41,870$46,946$52,000
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $39,936 · Level III $43,534 · Level IV $47,112$36,358$39,936$43,534$47,112
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $44,346 · Level III $49,192 · Level IV $54,059$39,478$44,346$49,192$54,059
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MILevel II $39,042 · Level III $42,786 · Level IV $46,530$35,298$39,042$42,786$46,530
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $39,728 · Level III $45,074 · Level IV $50,440$34,362$39,728$45,074$50,440
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $40,102 · Level III $45,989 · Level IV $51,896$34,195$40,102$45,989$51,896
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WILevel II $39,437 · Level III $44,242 · Level IV $49,046$34,632$39,437$44,242$49,046
Cleveland, OHLevel II $40,768 · Level III $45,635 · Level IV $50,482$35,922$40,768$45,635$50,482
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $41,101 · Level III $46,987 · Level IV $52,874$35,214$41,101$46,987$52,874
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $40,976 · Level III $45,531 · Level IV $50,107$36,400$40,976$45,531$50,107

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

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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