How much does a foundry mold and coremaker make?
The median foundry mold and coremaker in the United States earns $48,110 per year, about $23.13 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all foundry mold and coremakers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-4071.
Foundry mold and coremaker salary range
Pay for foundry mold and coremakers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,160 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $62,640. The average (mean) wage of $49,860 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,160 | $17.87 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $41,870 | $20.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $48,110 | $23.13 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $57,350 | $27.57 | |
| 90th percentile | $62,640 | $30.12 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for foundry mold and coremakers (SOC 51-4071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Foundry mold and coremaker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Foundry mold and coremakers earn the most in Oregon at $67,060 a year, and the least in Tennessee at $37,310. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $67,060 | 270 |
| Missouri | $61,480 | 590 |
| Illinois | $57,110 | 390 |
| Minnesota | $56,840 | 470 |
| Massachusetts | $55,940 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $55,210 | 330 |
| New York | $54,380 | 110 |
| Alabama | $51,040 | 850 |
| Indiana | $49,860 | 720 |
| Iowa | $49,060 | 480 |
| Ohio | $49,040 | 980 |
| Washington | $48,440 | 160 |
| Kansas | $47,910 | 150 |
| Connecticut | $47,310 | 110 |
| California | $46,930 | 420 |
| North Carolina | $46,910 | 260 |
| Georgia | $46,220 | 220 |
| Michigan | $46,150 | 2,050 |
| Nebraska | $45,910 | 90 |
| Utah | $44,970 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,750 | 1,230 |
| Wisconsin | $44,130 | 1,270 |
| Kentucky | $43,610 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $43,550 | 120 |
| New Hampshire | $43,210 | 40 |
| Virginia | $43,130 | 110 |
| Colorado | $42,240 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $42,200 | 60 |
| Texas | $42,190 | 230 |
| South Carolina | $41,100 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $39,560 | 70 |
| Florida | $38,330 | 140 |
| Tennessee | $37,310 | 190 |
State median wages for foundry mold and coremakers (SOC 51-4071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for foundry mold and coremakers
The BLS projects employment of foundry mold and coremakers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 23%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 12,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 9,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 800 openings a year for foundry mold and coremakers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a foundry mold and coremaker
The typical entry-level education for foundry mold and coremakers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a foundry mold and coremaker earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $67,060) and the lowest (Tennessee, $37,310) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,790 people work as foundry mold and coremakers in the United States. At $48,110 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Foundry mold and coremaker salary FAQ
How much does a foundry mold and coremaker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a foundry mold and coremaker is $23.13. The middle half of foundry mold and coremakers earn between $20.13 and $27.57 per hour.
What is the highest foundry mold and coremaker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of foundry mold and coremakers earn more than $62,640 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a foundry mold and coremaker make a year?
The median annual salary for a foundry mold and coremaker is $48,110. The average (mean) wage of $49,860 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a foundry mold and coremaker a well paid job?
At $48,110 a year, a foundry mold and coremaker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,790 people work as foundry mold and coremakers in the United States.
Which state pays foundry mold and coremakers the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for foundry mold and coremakers at $67,060 a year. Missouri ($61,480) and Illinois ($57,110) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a foundry mold and coremaker a good career?
Employment of foundry mold and coremakers is projected to shrink 23% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a foundry mold and coremaker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for foundry mold and coremakers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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