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Salary comparison

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics land at $46,170 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss at $44,650. The education gap is real: molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics is Montana ($57,860); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$46,170
$44,650
Hourly rate
$22.2/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$35,850
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$61,530
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
33,190
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Montana
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic median pay.

State
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Hawaii
$55,990
$49,630
Oregon
$52,740
$46,910
Washington
$51,780
$48,260
New Hampshire
$51,470
$46,940
Massachusetts
$50,550
$46,720
Colorado
$49,530
$46,150
California
$49,190
$47,720
Maine
$48,640
$45,970
Missouri
$46,380
$46,480
Iowa
$46,220
$48,920
North Dakota
$46,170
$47,250
Minnesota
$45,790
$46,920
Nevada
$45,020
$49,050
Ohio
$44,560
$45,720
Kentucky
$41,590
$47,950

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss?

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics earn more nationally. The median is $46,170 for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics get paid the most?

Montana is the top-paying state for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics at $57,860/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics earn $55,990 vs. $49,630 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastics by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plasticGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →