Foundry mold and coremakers
SOC Code: 51-4071Also known as:
Airset Caster, Airset Molder, Bond Runner, Core Baker, Core Drier
Median Annual Salary
$45,700
-25.9% growth (2024-2034)
900
Openings/Year
13K
Current Jobs
What Foundry mold and coremakers Do
Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.
💰 Salary
$45,700
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-25.9%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
900
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
12,700
Projected Employment (2034)
9,400
Related Careers
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons
$58,540 •
-16.9% growth
Fiberglass laminators and fabricators
$45,760 •
+4.2% growth
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
$41,230 •
-3.8% growth
Grinding and polishing workers, hand
$41,690 •
-21.2% growth
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
$45,690 •
+6.2% growth
Top Skills Required
Monitoring
Operations Monitoring
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Time Management
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into molds.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Foundry mold and coremakers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a foundry mold and coremakers:
Ironworking/Ironworker
161 degrees awarded •
4 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Foundry mold and coremakers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become foundry mold and coremakers.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | 105 | C |
| 2 | Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh, PA | 53 | C |
| 3 | Northwest State Community College | Archbold, OH | 2 | C |
| 4 | Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College | Ruidoso, NM | 1 | D |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do foundry mold and coremakers make?
The median annual salary for foundry mold and coremakers is $45,700.
What education do foundry mold and coremakers need?
Most foundry mold and coremakers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Ironworking/Ironworker.
Is becoming foundry mold and coremakers a good career choice?
Foundry mold and coremakers is projected to see -25.9% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 900 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for foundry mold and coremakers?
Top colleges for aspiring foundry mold and coremakers include
Ivy Tech Community College, Community College of Allegheny County, Northwest State Community College, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to foundry mold and coremakers?
Foundry mold and coremakers may also be known as: Airset Caster, Airset Molder, Bond Runner, Core Baker, Core Drier, Core Machine Operator, Core Maker, Core Microarchitect, Core Oven Tender, Core Paster, Core Piler, Core Rescuer, Core Setter, Core Stacker, Core Sticker, Core Stripper, Coremaker, Dry Molder, Dry Sand Molder, Foundry Finisher.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.