Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
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.
Top skills:Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Pourers and Casters, Metal pay by experience level
Entry level$40,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$47,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$53,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$64,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$74,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-4.7%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
600
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Pourers and Casters, Metal salary by industry
Primary Metal Manufacturing
4,090 workers
$57,000
Foundries
2,050 workers
$51,500
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing
900 workers
$59,500
Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing
750 workers
$66,500
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing
320 workers
$61,500
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
320 workers
$49,000
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only)
180 workers
$48,000
Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel
70 workers
$69,000
Machinery Manufacturing$46,500
Administrative and Support Services$43,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Pourers and Casters, Metal pays 0% below the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
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