Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the United States is $44,350 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) — real government survey data, not an algorithmic salary estimate. Pay ranges from $34,170 at the 10th percentile to $61,600 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Plastics process operatives) has a median of £29,644 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Signing a US offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,170 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $37,270 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $44,350 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $51,020 | Experienced |
| 90th | $61,600 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,560 | $77,490 | 140 |
| Maryland | $63,460 | $59,030 | 230 |
| Maine | $59,230 | $59,830 | 470 |
| Minnesota | $49,590 | $51,950 | 2,000 |
| Nevada | $49,590 | $54,340 | 350 |
| Nebraska | $48,500 | $47,740 | 1,000 |
| Washington | $48,290 | $52,690 | 2,000 |
| Colorado | $48,200 | $50,170 | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | $47,780 | $50,280 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $47,610 | $48,680 | 1,000 |
| California | $47,240 | $49,020 | 9,000 |
| Kentucky | $47,110 | $50,210 | 4,000 |
| Arizona | $46,930 | $48,160 | 1,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,760 | $46,760 | 7,000 |
| Utah | $46,750 | $50,610 | 2,000 |
| Connecticut | $46,240 | $49,120 | 1,000 |
| Oregon | $46,200 | $48,820 | 2,000 |
| Oklahoma | $45,680 | $47,120 | 2,000 |
| Illinois | $45,500 | $46,710 | 11,000 |
| Virginia | $45,370 | $45,120 | 2,000 |
| South Carolina | $45,270 | $46,290 | 3,000 |
| Delaware | $45,220 | $45,200 | 120 |
| Iowa | $45,220 | $47,170 | 4,000 |
| Ohio | $44,830 | $46,060 | 11,000 |
| Arkansas | $44,790 | $44,410 | 3,000 |
| Vermont | $44,530 | $47,250 | 110 |
| New York | $44,500 | $46,650 | 3,000 |
| Indiana | $44,290 | $45,820 | 9,000 |
| Wisconsin | $44,230 | $45,310 | 9,000 |
| Missouri | $44,120 | $45,780 | 3,000 |
| Montana | $43,340 | $45,020 | 110 |
| Georgia | $43,250 | $47,230 | 2,000 |
| Kansas | $43,050 | $42,480 | 1,000 |
| Idaho | $42,690 | $43,110 | 520 |
| Massachusetts | $42,570 | $44,750 | 4,000 |
| West Virginia | $42,500 | $47,060 | 420 |
| Rhode Island | $42,020 | $44,000 | 430 |
| New Mexico | $41,990 | $41,670 | 250 |
| North Carolina | $41,630 | $43,880 | 8,000 |
| Texas | $41,140 | $43,860 | 7,000 |
| South Dakota | $40,750 | $42,670 | 840 |
| New Jersey | $39,950 | $43,470 | 2,000 |
| Mississippi | $39,730 | $42,930 | 550 |
| Michigan | $39,490 | $43,800 | 14,000 |
| Alabama | $39,010 | $41,250 | 6,000 |
| Tennessee | $38,820 | $41,360 | 4,000 |
| Louisiana | $38,650 | $40,620 | 90 |
| Florida | $38,440 | $42,150 | 3,000 |
| Wyoming | $38,160 | $43,020 | 60 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,080 | $27,560 | 920 |
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How Does This Compare to the UK?
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is the US equivalent of plastics process operatives in the UK, which has a national median of £29,644. Figures are shown in local currency, not converted — cost of living, tax systems and benefits packages differ enough between the two countries that a currency conversion alone would be misleading. See the full UK breakdown, or use our comparison tool to set this role against another job title side by side, with location and experience-level filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the US?
The US national median wage for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $44,350 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the US?
Pay ranges from $34,170 at the 10th percentile to $61,600 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
The highest-paying states for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic include Hawaii ($77,560), Maryland ($63,460), Maine ($59,230). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — Hawaii ($77,560) pays roughly 236% more than Puerto Rico ($23,080). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
How does molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay compare between the US and UK?
The UK equivalent role (Plastics process operatives) has a national median of £29,644. Figures are shown in local currency rather than converted, since cost of living and tax systems differ enough between the two countries that a straight currency conversion would be misleading.
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-09-02