CFChooseField
Production

Foundry Mold and Coremakers

Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Download graphic

Median pay

$45,700
Median annual pay for Foundry Mold and Coremakers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

-25.9%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

12,700
Estimated U.S. employment for Foundry Mold and Coremakers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

-3,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1English Language
  2. 2Mechanical
  3. 3Education and Training
  4. 4Production and Processing
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Physics

Abilities

  1. 1Trunk Strength
  2. 2Manual Dexterity
  3. 3Arm-Hand Steadiness
  4. 4Static Strength
  5. 5Finger Dexterity
  6. 6Multilimb Coordination

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Artistic
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Handling and Moving Objects
  2. 2Performing General Physical Activities
  3. 3Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  4. 4Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
  3. 3Exposed to Contaminants
  4. 4Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  5. 5Spend Time Standing
  6. 6Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Representative tasks

  • Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections.
  • Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools.
  • Position patterns inside mold sections, and clamp sections together.
  • Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring.
  • Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
  • Form and assemble slab cores around patterns, and position wire in mold sections to reinforce molds, using hand tools and glue.
  • Move and position workpieces, such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces.
  • Lift upper mold sections from lower sections, and remove molded patterns.

Software and tools

Autodesk AutoCAD · hot technologyDassault Systemes SolidWorks · hot technologyCNC Software MastercamInventory tracking softwareMachine control softwarePTC Creo Parametric

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.