Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
SOC 51-9195 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic is $43,310, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $44,710, and an estimated 38,480 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +22.2% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +3.8% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 6.2% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $43,310 | $43,310 | 38,480 |
| 2022 | $39,590 | $41,220 | 39,060 |
| 2021 | $37,500 | $42,168 | 38,420 |
| 2020 | $35,440 | $41,724 | 41,660 |
Nominal change
+22.2%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+3.8%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+6.2%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
41,700
Projected 2034
44,300
Annual Openings
5,500
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $43,310. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $65,560 | +51.4% | 50 |
| Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $61,950 | +43% | 60 |
| New Jersey | $56,430 | +30.3% | 940 |
| Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | $52,110 | +20.3% | 90 |
| Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $49,110 | +13.4% | 100 |
| Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $48,990 | +13.1% | 270 |
| Connecticut | $48,580 | +12.2% | 80 |
| California | $48,000 | +10.8% | 4,370 |
| New Hampshire | $47,710 | +10.2% | 160 |
| New York | $47,540 | +9.8% | 1,430 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$32,540
25th Pct
$37,150
Median
$43,310
75th Pct
$49,330
90th Pct
$59,740
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| MURCHISON-SMITH LLC | NJ | 1 | $55,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Production
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.