Life As a Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
Career Description Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
A Day in the Life of a Casting Machine Operator
- Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
- Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
- Shape molds to specified contours, using sand, and trowels and related tools.
- Pull level and toggle latches to fill molds, to regulate tension on sheeting, and to release mold covers.
- Repair or replace damaged molds, pipes, belts, chains, or other equipment, using hand tools, hand-powered presses, or jib cranes.
- Pour or load metal or sand into melting pots, furnaces, molds, or hoppers, using shovels, ladles, or machines.
Featured schools near , edit
What a Casting Machine Operator Should Know
These are the skills Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Other Casting Machine Operator Job Titles
- Plastic Joint Maker
- Machine Molder
- Die Casting Machine Operator
- Nonferrous Metal Precision Pattern and Die Caster
- Babbitt Spinner
Are There Job Opportunities for Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 145,400 jobs in the United States for Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. The BLS estimates 12,900 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Average Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
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 each U.S. state?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- FANUC Robotics iRVision
Becoming a Casting Machine Operator
Learn what Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender education requirements there are.

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

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

Below are examples of industries where Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender may also be interested in:
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 > |