Foundry mold and coremakers
SOC Code: 51-4071
Foundry mold and coremakers carries a 17% AI exposure score (Low automation risk), with a median annual wage of $45,700 and -25.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 12,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 17% AI exposure, Foundry mold and coremakers sits 20 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 3% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Foundry mold and coremakers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Foundry mold and coremakers has ai exposure of 17%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Foundry mold and coremakers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Foundry mold and coremakers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Foundry mold and coremakers (SOC 51-4071) carries an AI exposure score of 17%, placing it in the Low automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 12,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -25.9% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $45,700, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Foundry mold and coremakers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections.
- 2. Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools.
- 3. Position patterns inside mold sections, and clamp sections together.
- 4. Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring.
- 5. Tend machines that bond cope and drag together to form completed shell molds.
- 6. Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
- 7. Form and assemble slab cores around patterns, and position wire in mold sections to reinforce molds, using hand tools and glue.
- 8. Move and position workpieces, such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces.
- 9. Rotate sweep boards around spindles to make symmetrical molds for convex impressions.
- 10. Pour molten metal into molds, manually or with crane ladles.
Key Skills Required
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operation and Control
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Physics
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Public Safety and Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Foundry mold and coremakers?
Foundry mold and coremakers has an AI exposure score of 17%, indicating a low level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Foundry mold and coremakers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Foundry mold and coremakers is projected to decline by 25.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 12,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Foundry mold and coremakers?
Key skills for Foundry mold and coremakers include Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Foundry mold and coremakers earn?
The median annual wage for Foundry mold and coremakers is $45,700, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Foundry mold and coremakers?
The typical entry-level education for Foundry mold and coremakers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Foundry mold and coremakers?
Foundry mold and coremakers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Low automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).