Life As a Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
Position Description Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
Life As a Casting Machine Operator
- Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
- Remove finished or cured products from dies or molds, using hand tools, air hoses, and other equipment, stamping identifying information on products when necessary.
- Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
- Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
- Operate hoists to position dies or patterns on foundry floors.
- Unload finished products from conveyor belts, pack them in containers, and place containers in warehouses.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Casting Machine Operator?
When polled, Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Cast Associate
- Cake-Press Operator
- Die Casting Machine Setter
- Injection Molding Machine Operator
- Shell Mold Bonding Machine Operator
What Kind of Casting Machine Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 145,400 jobs for Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There will be an estimated 12,900 positions for Casting Machine Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Casting Machine Operator are Utah, North Dakota, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Idaho, Delaware, or Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Casting Machine Operator
Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make between $22,020 and $50,240 a year.

Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Maryland, Delaware, or Maine, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $33,950 |
Arizona | $35,470 |
Arkansas | $33,580 |
California | $35,730 |
Connecticut | $35,750 |
Delaware | $40,300 |
Florida | $33,200 |
Georgia | $33,330 |
Idaho | $32,180 |
Illinois | $36,410 |
Indiana | $33,170 |
Iowa | $32,510 |
Kansas | $31,560 |
Kentucky | $34,880 |
Louisiana | $29,520 |
Maine | $40,930 |
Maryland | $40,010 |
Massachusetts | $37,360 |
Michigan | $32,760 |
Minnesota | $38,050 |
Mississippi | $33,390 |
Missouri | $31,190 |
Montana | $30,810 |
Nebraska | $34,130 |
Nevada | $35,240 |
New Hampshire | $35,520 |
New Jersey | $36,580 |
New Mexico | $29,880 |
New York | $32,650 |
North Carolina | $33,600 |
North Dakota | $31,930 |
Ohio | $32,000 |
Oklahoma | $32,080 |
Oregon | $36,590 |
Pennsylvania | $33,240 |
Rhode Island | $30,180 |
South Carolina | $34,710 |
South Dakota | $32,770 |
Tennessee | $33,810 |
Texas | $30,530 |
Utah | $39,480 |
Vermont | $32,760 |
Virginia | $38,920 |
Washington | $38,560 |
West Virginia | $33,820 |
Wisconsin | $35,420 |
Wyoming | $36,840 |
What Tools do Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- FANUC Robotics iRVision
How do I Become a Casting Machine Operator?
Are there Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders education requirements?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Casting Machine Operator?

Where do Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders employed by various industries.

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |