Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Foundry mold and coremakers work in a specialized manufacturing niche with a defined national footprint. With national employment of about 13,000 workers, this is a relatively small occupation, which can appeal to people who prefer a more focused trade. The typical entry point is accessible, requiring a high school diploma or equivalent, supported by on-the-job development of technical and physical skills. Strong physical strength and stamina, mechanical ability, fine motor skills, and attention to detail are central to success, alongside problem solving, mathematics, and even leadership and project management capabilities. Nationally, the median annual salary is $45,700, with higher medians reported in some states and metro areas. While long-term projected employment growth is negative, there are still annual openings that reflect ongoing turnover and replacement needs. For students, job seekers, and career changers who are interested in hands-on, detail-oriented work, this role can offer a stable, skill-based path within manufacturing environments.
At the national level, foundry mold and coremakers earn a median annual salary of $45,700. Within this overall picture, there are meaningful differences by state and metro area. Among the top states by opportunity score, Massachusetts reports a median salary of $55,940 and New York $54,380, both above the national median. Washington also stands out with a median salary of $48,440, while California and Colorado report $46,930 and $42,240 respectively. Looking at metro areas, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue shows a median salary of $58,090, and New York-Newark-Jersey City reports $55,210. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington and the New York and Seattle metros all exceed $54,000. These figures suggest that workers willing to target specific regions—especially certain Northeastern and West Coast metros—may find higher earning potential than the national median, though these opportunities are concentrated in relatively small local employment markets.
Foundry mold and coremakers currently account for national employment of about 13,000 workers. The occupation is projected to experience a -25.9% change in employment, indicating a significant decline over the projection period. Despite this negative growth, there are still about 1,000 annual openings. These openings reflect ongoing labor-market dynamics such as turnover and replacement needs, even in a shrinking field. For individuals considering this career, the outlook suggests that new positions may be harder to find overall, and job seekers may need to be flexible about location and employer. However, the consistent flow of annual openings means that opportunities continue to exist for those entering or advancing within the occupation. Those who build strong skill sets in areas like mechanical ability, physical stamina, problem solving, and detail orientation may be better positioned to compete for the available roles.
Location strategy is important for foundry mold and coremakers because pay levels and employment concentration vary across states and metro areas. Among states, Massachusetts and New York have relatively high median salaries of $55,940 and $54,380, but small employment bases of 60 and 110 workers. California has a median salary of $46,930 with 420 employed, representing one of the larger state employment counts among the top locations. Washington combines a mid-to-high median salary of $48,440 with 160 employed, while Colorado offers $42,240 with 40 employed. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $55,210, and employment of 320. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue shows a high median salary of $58,090, though with only 60 employed. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim and Boston-Cambridge-Newton provide moderate-to-strong salaries and smaller but notable employment levels. These patterns show that higher salaries often appear in metros with relatively limited employment counts.
The typical education requirement for foundry mold and coremakers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who are completing or have completed secondary school and are seeking a skilled, hands-on role without a formal college degree requirement. Success in this field, however, depends heavily on developing a strong skill set. Key strengths include physical strength and stamina, reflecting the physical nature of the work, and fine motor skills and mechanical ability, which support precision and equipment use. Science and mathematics are also important, indicating a need for comfort with basic technical and quantitative concepts. Additionally, problem solving and decision making, along with detail orientation, help workers manage quality and efficiency. Leadership and project management skills can be valuable for those who advance to coordinate work or lead teams. Creativity and innovation can further support continuous improvement and more effective approaches to tasks within the occupation.
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