How much does a pourer and caster make?
The median pourer and caster in the United States earns $51,810 per year, about $24.91 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all pourers and casters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-4052.
Pourer and caster salary range
Pay for pourers and casters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,480 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $72,040. The average (mean) wage of $54,290 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 | $38,480 | $18.50 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,190 | $21.73 | |
| Median (50th) | $51,810 | $24.91 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $61,700 | $29.67 | |
| 90th percentile | $72,040 | $34.63 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for pourers and casters, metal (SOC 51-4052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Pourer and caster salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Pourers and casters earn the most in Tennessee at $71,880 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $38,800. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $71,880 | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $62,820 | N/A |
| Florida | $62,090 | 40 |
| Indiana | $61,430 | 530 |
| Ohio | $60,770 | 460 |
| Michigan | $60,280 | 360 |
| North Carolina | $57,700 | 100 |
| Illinois | $57,200 | 330 |
| Washington | $54,210 | 80 |
| Texas | $52,100 | 500 |
| Oregon | $52,010 | 60 |
| Kansas | $50,530 | 70 |
| Iowa | $49,010 | 80 |
| Missouri | $48,850 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $47,880 | 320 |
| Alabama | $47,330 | 160 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,220 | 290 |
| Arkansas | $45,410 | 90 |
| Utah | $45,140 | 30 |
| California | $44,150 | 240 |
| Mississippi | $43,370 | 30 |
| Virginia | $39,420 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $38,800 | 60 |
State median wages for pourers and casters, metal (SOC 51-4052), 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 pourers and casters
The BLS projects employment of pourers and casters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 400 openings a year for pourers and casters. 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 pourer and caster
The typical entry-level education for pourers and casters 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 pourer and caster 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 (Tennessee, $71,880) and the lowest (Kentucky, $38,800) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 4,560 people work as pourers and casters in the United States. At $51,810 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Pourer and caster salary FAQ
How much does a pourer and caster make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a pourer and caster is $24.91. The middle half of pourers and casters earn between $21.73 and $29.67 per hour.
What is the highest pourer and caster salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of pourers and casters earn more than $72,040 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a pourer and caster make a year?
The median annual salary for a pourer and caster is $51,810. The average (mean) wage of $54,290 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 pourer and caster a well paid job?
At $51,810 a year, a pourer and caster earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 4,560 people work as pourers and casters in the United States.
Which state pays pourers and casters the most?
Tennessee has the highest median salary for pourers and casters at $71,880 a year. Massachusetts ($62,820) and Florida ($62,090) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a pourer and caster a good career?
Employment of pourers and casters is projected to shrink 5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a pourer and caster?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for pourers and casters as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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