Foundry Mold and Coremakers

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

Also called: Core Machine Operator, Core Maker, Core Stripper, Coremaker, Green Sand Molder, Mold Maker, Mold Operator, Molder, No Bake Molder, Sand Molder, Airset Caster, Airset Molder, Bond Runner, Core Baker, Core Drier, Core Microarchitect, Core Oven Tender, Core Paster, Core Piler, Core Rescuer, Core Setter, Core Stacker, Core Sticker, Dry Molder, Dry Sand Molder, Foundry Finisher, Foundry Mold Assembly and Shake Out Worker, Foundry Molder, Foundry Tender, Foundry Worker, Golf Club Head Former, Hand Coremaker, Hand Former, Hand Spring Former, Mold Capper, Mold Closer, Mold Finisher, Mold Tooling Technician (Mold Tooling Tech), Pattern Molder, Sand Cutter, Sand Cutter Operator, Sweep Molder, Wax Pattern Coater

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Monitoring
Operations Monitoring
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Time Management
Speaking
Complex Problem Solving
Operation and Control
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Learning
Quality Control Analysis
Reading Comprehension

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (64.37% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

41,870–57,350 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-4071.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (64.37% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Foundry Mold and Coremakers