SOC 51-4072
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Risk Score
⚠️66/100
High Risk
US Employment
👥154,820
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$41K
$32K – $60K
Projected Growth
📈-3.8%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖34/100
Moderate exposure
💡 Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic face a risk score of 66/100 — 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 →
💡 Workers in this field earn $41K. The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 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 →
⚠️ 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
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Handling non-standard materials and configurations
Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection
Setup and calibration of custom production runs
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 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% |