Molders

Explore This Path

Perfect for those who love crafting and creating tangible products.
Shape essential items from diverse materials, impacting daily life.
Unique chance to work with materials like clay, glass, and stone.

💰 Earn $43K-$59K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 5.3% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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.

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.
Brush or spray mold surfaces with parting agents or insert paper into molds to ensure smoothness and prevent sticking or seepage.
Engrave or stamp identifying symbols, letters, or numbers on products.
Assemble, insert, and adjust wires, tubes, cores, fittings, rods, or patterns into molds, using hand tools and depth gauges.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

6,600 Annually

Median Earnings

$48,000 in California

$43,310 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Learning
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Service Orientation
Speaking

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Molders

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Strategic Employment

Strategic employment provides individuals with valuable work experience, opportunities for professional growth and networking, and exposure to an industry where they may want to pursue advancement.

🎓 Paid Work

⏱️ FINISH IN 1-3 years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Workforce Development Program

A workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.

🎓 Paid Work

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-5 years