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How to hire a caster

Caster hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring casters in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a caster is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new caster to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a caster, step by step

To hire a caster, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a caster, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step caster hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a caster job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new caster
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a caster, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A caster's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, casters from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of casters.

    Type of CasterDescriptionHourly rate
    CasterMetal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.$14-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Safety Procedures
    • Foundry
    • Skim
    • Safety Regulations
    • Torches
    • Brass
    • Crucibles
    • Dye
    • Control Panels
    • Assembly Line
    • Production Equipment
    • Urinals
    Responsibilities:
    • Drive plant safety improvement by taking a leadership role to support daily safety efforts and assist in managing the EHS activities.
    • Operate POS system numerous times per shift.
    • Operate, control, and maintain aluminum melting furnaces.
    • Gain valuable experience in BEx and other lean continuous improvement programs.
    • Bond urethane to various media (steel, aluminum, neoprene).
    • Cut steel billets with the use of auto torches and monitor everything on the control panel.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your caster job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A caster salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a caster in Tennessee may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level caster usually earns less than a senior-level caster. Additionally, a caster with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average caster salary

    $37,896yearly

    $18.22 hourly rate

    Entry-level caster salary
    $31,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average caster salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$41,997$20
    2Iowa$40,719$20
    3Ohio$35,859$17
    4California$35,033$17
    5North Carolina$34,845$17
    6Colorado$33,983$16
    7Oregon$33,370$16
    8Mississippi$32,517$16
    9Georgia$31,768$15
    10Alabama$31,713$15

    Average caster salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Steel Dynamics$40,932$19.68
    2Precision Castparts$40,931$19.683
    3McWane$40,883$19.66
    4MKDA$40,651$19.541
    5Dutchland Plastics$38,992$18.75
    6Chase Brass and Copper$38,595$18.56
    7PMX Industries$38,434$18.481
    8The High Companies$38,391$18.46
    9The Manufacturers' Association$38,068$18.30
    10QPS$36,999$17.79
    11Applied Technical Services Corporation$36,958$17.77
    12The Wood Company$36,895$17.74
    13Durex Industries$36,811$17.70
    14EnerSys$36,614$17.60
    15Americorps$36,460$17.53
    16Kohler Co.$36,361$17.48
    17CMC Motocross$35,236$16.941
    18Hubbell$34,320$16.502
    19Randstad North America, Inc.$34,005$16.35
    20Remedy Intelligent Staffing$33,080$15.90
  4. Writing a caster job description

    A caster job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a caster job description:

    Caster job description example

    Dutchland has been manufacturing high quality plastic products for nearly half a century at our state-of-the-art facilities in Wisconsin and New York. We're proud to be named one of the top 5 manufacturers of custom rotational molded plastic products in North America.

    At Dutchland Plastics, we are known for making BIG products. We're capable of producing products from 1-500lbs and up to 17 feet in length. From furniture to slides, and kayaks to coolers, we can handle it all. We're a contract manufacturer with rotational molding at its core. Going 'BIG' is what we do.

    $1,500 SIGNING BONUS!

    Why Work at Dutchland

    We take pride in making Dutchland a fun place to work while on the clock and off. We are committed to providing you and your family with the tools, support, and encouragement you need to lead a healthy and productive life. At Dutchland, we offer an inclusive compensation and benefits package for all full-time employees:

    • Competitive Wages
    • Up to a $1,500 Signing Bonus
    • Up to a $1,000 Referral Bonus
    • $50 Cash Attendance Bonus
    • Shift Premiums - $.50 for 2nd Shift and $1.00 on 3rd Shift
    • Quarterly Production Bonus...Up to 5% of Pay
    • Up to a $2.00 Increase within Your First Year
    • 11 paid holidays
    • Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
    • HSA Company Contribution- $500 Single Plan, $1,000 Family Plan
    • PTO - Starting at 2 Weeks
    • Company Paid Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
    • Gym Reimbursement
    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • 401k with Company Match
    • Career Advancement Opportunities
    • Company Events & Happenings - Picnics, Giveaways, and cookouts!
    • Comprehensive Training Provided for All Position

    Great Opportunity!!!

    PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

    1. Perform job in a safe manner, always putting safety first—especially when operating overhead cranes and mold platforms
    2. Measure and weigh raw material
    3. Load molds with raw materials
    4. Ensure selection of proper mold part numbers including graphics and inserts
    5. Remove finished products from molds and move to secondary operations as needed
    6. Maintain a clean and organized work environment
    7. Other duties as required

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

    • General understanding of manufacturing processes is a plus, but not required
    • Ability to read and interpret orders, and understand standard operating procedures
    • Ability to count and perform basic math
    • Ability to learn and work with basic hand tools
    • Ability to learn to troubleshoot quality problems
    • Ability to work in a team environment
    • Good organizational and communication skills

    PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS: This is a physically demanding position; employees must possess the physical qualities necessary to perform the following job requirements: Secondary Operators are continuously required to stand; walk; carry; grasp/grip; and lift up to 50 pounds. The position frequently requires the ability to reach above your head, climb, step up and down, bend/twist, push, and pull.

    WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Dutchland is a rotational molding manufacturing plant. Our products are produced using high temperature ovens. Employees will be exposed to heat generated from the ovens in the area.

    Dutchland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and uses E-Verify; satisfactory completion of a drug screen for all new hires is required.

    #EmployerofChoice

    If you have been a Factory Worker, Production Worker, Manufacturing Team Member, General Laborer, Warehouse Worker, Product Assembler, or Plastics Production Worker you would be a great fit for this position.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right caster for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your caster job on Zippia to find and recruit caster candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with caster candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new caster

    Once you've decided on a perfect caster candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new caster first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a caster?

Recruiting casters involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for casters is $37,896 in the US. However, the cost of caster hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a caster for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $14 and $21 an hour.

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