Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Montana
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Montana earn a median of $43,340 a year ($20.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,240 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $44,350. Montana ranks 31st of 49 states for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. There are 0.22 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.23). The average (mean) salary is $45,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,850 | $13.87 |
| 25th percentile | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| Median | $43,340 | $20.84 |
| 75th percentile | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| Average (mean) | $45,020 | $21.64 |
Half of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, 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 | $3,611.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,805.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,666.92 |
| Weekly | $833.46 |
| Hourly | $20.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,560 |
| Maryland | $63,460 |
| Maine | $59,230 |
| Minnesota | $49,590 |
| Nevada | $49,590 |
| Nebraska | $48,500 |
| Washington | $48,290 |
| Colorado | $48,200 |
| North Dakota | $47,780 |
| New Hampshire | $47,610 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,610 | $26.73 |
| Machinist | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Baker | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4072. 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 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Montana?
The median salary for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Montana is $43,340 a year, or $20.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Montana?
The top 10% of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Montana earn at least $63,240 a year. The top 25% earn $50,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,850 a year, and a quarter of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $37,210 or less.
How many molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Montana?
About 110 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.