Operate hand-controlled mechanisms to pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds to produce castings or ingots.
National median · BLS
$51,810
▲ +5.86%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$54,290
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
4,560
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Pourers and Casters, Metal
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$38,480
25th
$45,190
Median (50th)
$51,810
75th
$61,700
90th — top pay
$72,040
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Pourers and Casters, Metal
BLS projects employment of pourers and casters, metal to decline 5% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
4,600 → 4,300
-200 jobs
Projected change
-5%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Pourers and Casters, Metal salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
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Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Pourers and Casters, Metal
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Operation and Control3.1
Operations Monitoring3.1
Active Listening3.0
Critical Thinking3.0
Judgment and Decision Making3.0
Monitoring3.0
Coordination2.9
Quality Control Analysis2.9
Time Management2.9
Equipment Maintenance2.8
Top knowledge areas
English Language3.1
Production and Processing2.8
Education and Training2.6
Mechanical2.5
Administration and Management2.2
Mathematics2.2
Transportation2.1
Public Safety and Security1.9
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordHusky Injection Molding Systems Shotscope NX
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What pourers and casters, metal do
Pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds and forms to produce ingots or other castings, using ladles or hand-controlled mechanisms.
Read temperature gauges and observe color changes, adjusting furnace flames, torches, or electrical heating units as necessary to melt metal to specifications.
Remove solidified steel or slag from pouring nozzles, using long bars or oxygen burners.
Examine molds to ensure they are clean, smooth, and properly coated.
Collect samples, or signal workers to sample metal for analysis.
Load specified amounts of metal and flux into furnaces or clay crucibles.
Position equipment such as ladles, grinding wheels, pouring nozzles, or crucibles, or signal other workers to position equipment.
Skim slag or remove excess metal from ingots or equipment, using hand tools, strainers, rakes, or burners, collecting scrap for recycling.
Aluminum PourerBillet HeaderBrass PourerBuggy Ladle TenderBull Ladle TenderBusherDCO (Die Cast Operator)HeaderIngot CasterIngot HeaderLadle Car OperatorLadle FillerLadle OperatorLadle PourerLadle PullerLadlemanLadlerMolten Iron PourerSteel PourerThird Steel PourerTin PourerWhite Metal Caster
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Pourers and Casters, Metal, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $51,810.
