SOC 51-4072
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ66/100
High Risk
US Employment
๐ฅ154,820
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$41K
$32K โ $60K
Projected Growth
๐-3.8%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค34/100
Moderate exposure
๐ก Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic face a risk score of 66/100 โ 22 points above the national average of 44. With only 34/100 GenAI exposure, most core tasks remain resistant to current AI capabilities. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $41K. The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 66/100, Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 154,820 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in handling non-standard materials and configurations and quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles
AI quality inspection via computer vision systems
Smart factory scheduling and production optimization
Cobots handling repetitive material handling tasks
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Handling non-standard materials and configurations
Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection
Setup and calibration of custom production runs
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
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.
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.
๐ป Technology Skills
Industrial control software
Analytical or scientific software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Spreadsheet software
Office suite software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Production and Processing
Mechanical
Mathematics
English Language
Administration and Management
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers | 20 | $106K | 57% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | 25 | $62K | 67% |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | 33 | $68K | 81% |