Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary in California
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in California earn a median of $49,190 a year ($23.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,720 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $46,170. California ranks 10th of 48 states for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic pay. There are 0.20 molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| 25th percentile | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Median | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| 75th percentile | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,720 | $34.00 |
| Average (mean) | $52,280 | $25.13 |
Half of molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,099.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,049.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,891.92 |
| Weekly | $945.96 |
| Hourly | $23.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,130 | 130 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,990 | 70 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $57,300 | 400 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $56,320 | 80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $52,090 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | $51,320 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $49,840 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $49,500 | 120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $49,300 | 280 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $48,140 | 310 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,640 | 970 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $47,370 | 590 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $45,670 | 160 |
| Visalia, CA | $43,360 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $57,860 |
| Hawaii | $55,990 |
| Oregon | $52,740 |
| Connecticut | $52,520 |
| Washington | $51,780 |
| New Hampshire | $51,470 |
| Massachusetts | $50,550 |
| Maryland | $50,360 |
| Colorado | $49,530 |
| California | $49,190 |
See Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $47,410 | $22.80 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9195. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic make in California?
The median salary for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic in California is $49,190 a year, or $23.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic make in California?
The top 10% of molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic in California earn at least $70,720 a year. The top 25% earn $58,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,790 a year, and a quarter of molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic earn $45,180 or less.
How many molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic work in California?
About 3,590 molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.