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Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Houston, TX

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Houston, TX have a median annual salary of $45,650, with 1,780 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $31,320 at the 10th percentile to $58,920 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$45,650

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$21.95

Employment

1,780

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$31,320
10th
$35,850
25th
$45,650
Median
$56,990
75th
$58,920
90th

Local compared with national

Houston, TX

$45,650

Median annual · 2025

United States

$44,350

Median annual · 2025

The Houston, TX median is 2.9% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $1,300).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.4
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 3.3
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  4. 4.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Operation and ControlImportance 3.1
  6. 6.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 2.9
  11. 11.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.9
  12. 12.TroubleshootingImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • FANUC Robotics iRVision
  • HotFlo! Die-Shot Monitor
  • Intera Systems Hawk-i
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • RobotWare DieCast
  • SAP software
  • Visi-Trak True-Trak 20/20

Common tasks

  • Install dies onto machines or presses and coat dies with parting agents, according to work order specifications.
  • 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.
  • Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.
  • Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
  • Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.
  • Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other locations

Other occupations in Houston, TX