Pourers and Casters, Metal

SOC code 51-4052 · O*NET-SOC 51-4052.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Pourers and Casters, Metal pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$51,810

a year

Hourly

$24.91

per hour

10th$38,480Median$51,81090th$72,040

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$54,290

$26.10 per hour

Middle 50%

$45,190 – $61,700

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$38,480 – $72,040

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

4,560

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $38,480; $18.50/hr
25th percentile: $45,190; $21.73/hr
Median percentile: $51,810; $24.91/hr
75th percentile: $61,700; $29.67/hr
90th percentile: $72,040; $34.63/hr

What do pourers and casters, metal do?

Operate hand-controlled mechanisms to pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds to produce castings or ingots.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.
Assemble and embed cores in casting frames, using hand tools and equipment.
Examine molds to ensure they are clean, smooth, and properly coated.
Collect samples, or signal workers to sample metal for analysis.
Turn valves to circulate water through cores, or spray water on filled molds to cool and solidify metal.
Load specified amounts of metal and flux into furnaces or clay crucibles.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 80% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: 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.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)80%
Less than a High School Diploma20%

Common questions

How much does a pourers and casters, metal earn?

The national median is $51,810 a year. The full range runs from $38,480 at the 10th percentile to $72,040 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a pourers and casters, metal without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.0/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5
Monitoring3.0/5
Reading Comprehension2.8/5

Knowledge areas

English Language3.1/5
Production and Processing2.8/5
Education and Training2.6/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Quality Control Analysis, Time Management.