How much does a molder make?
The median molder in the United States earns $46,170 per year, about $22.20 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all molders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9195.
Molder salary range
Pay for molders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,850 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $61,530. The average (mean) wage of $47,500 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 | $35,850 | $17.24 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,280 | $18.88 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,170 | $22.20 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $53,000 | $25.48 | |
| 90th percentile | $61,530 | $29.58 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic (SOC 51-9195), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Molder salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Molders earn the most in Montana at $57,860 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $35,620. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | $57,860 | 150 |
| Hawaii | $55,990 | 40 |
| Oregon | $52,740 | 410 |
| Connecticut | $52,520 | 170 |
| Washington | $51,780 | 1,130 |
| New Hampshire | $51,470 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $50,550 | 1,200 |
| Maryland | $50,360 | 110 |
| Colorado | $49,530 | 390 |
| California | $49,190 | 3,590 |
| Arizona | $49,060 | 470 |
| Vermont | $48,660 | 240 |
| Maine | $48,640 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $48,030 | 550 |
| Delaware | $47,940 | 90 |
| Rhode Island | $47,610 | N/A |
| Kansas | $47,360 | 680 |
| New Jersey | $47,360 | 620 |
| Illinois | $47,180 | 1,230 |
| Georgia | $47,160 | 760 |
| New Mexico | $46,970 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $46,870 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $46,460 | 220 |
| Indiana | $46,400 | 1,520 |
| Missouri | $46,380 | 690 |
| Iowa | $46,220 | 340 |
| Nebraska | $46,220 | 240 |
| North Dakota | $46,170 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $46,110 | 550 |
| New York | $45,940 | 1,150 |
| Tennessee | $45,860 | 880 |
| Minnesota | $45,790 | 900 |
| Virginia | $45,410 | 720 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,310 | 1,690 |
| Michigan | $45,250 | 1,470 |
| Florida | $45,030 | 2,410 |
| Nevada | $45,020 | 430 |
| Ohio | $44,560 | 1,560 |
| Utah | $43,440 | 710 |
| West Virginia | $43,300 | 260 |
| Idaho | $42,620 | 210 |
| Kentucky | $41,590 | 370 |
| Texas | $40,010 | 2,550 |
| North Carolina | $38,190 | 550 |
| Mississippi | $37,580 | 210 |
| Wyoming | $37,510 | 80 |
| Alabama | $36,730 | 820 |
| Arkansas | $35,620 | 190 |
State median wages for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic (SOC 51-9195), 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 molders
The BLS projects employment of molders to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 43,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 45,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,100 openings a year for molders. 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 molder
The typical entry-level education for molders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-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 molder 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 (Montana, $57,860) and the lowest (Arkansas, $35,620) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 33,190 people work as molders in the United States. At $46,170 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Molder salary FAQ
How much does a molder make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a molder is $22.20. The middle half of molders earn between $18.88 and $25.48 per hour.
What is the highest molder salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of molders earn more than $61,530 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a molder make a year?
The median annual salary for a molder is $46,170. The average (mean) wage of $47,500 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 molder a well paid job?
At $46,170 a year, a molder earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 33,190 people work as molders in the United States.
Which state pays molders the most?
Montana has the highest median salary for molders at $57,860 a year. Hawaii ($55,990) and Oregon ($52,740) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a molder a good career?
Employment of molders is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a molder?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for molders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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