Core maker vs molder apprentice

The differences between core makers and molder apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a core maker has an average salary of $49,119, which is higher than the $36,859 average annual salary of a molder apprentice.

The top three skills for a core maker include hand tools, sand molds and aluminum castings. The most important skills for a molder apprentice are plastic injection, mold components, and grinders.

Core maker vs molder apprentice overview

	Core Maker	Molder Apprentice
Yearly salary	$49,119	$36,859
Hourly rate	$23.61	$17.72
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	7,168	6,117
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Core maker vs molder apprentice salary

Core makers and molder apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Core Maker	Molder Apprentice
Average salary	$49,119	$36,859
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $83,000	Between $26,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between core maker and molder apprentice education

There are a few differences between a core maker and a molder apprentice in terms of educational background:

	Core Maker	Molder Apprentice
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Core maker vs molder apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between core makers' and molder apprentices' demographics:

	Core Maker	Molder Apprentice
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 81.8% Female, 18.2%	Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.7% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between core maker and molder apprentice duties and responsibilities

Core maker example responsibilities.

Program machine to its specific instructions written on process sheets for the jobs being run.
Certify power truck operator responsible for moving racks of finish cores throughout the foundry.
Rotate sweep boards around spindles in order to make symmetrical molds for convex impressions.
Set up machine to run required job, read instruction, store finish cores in box
Set cores into a Disa mechanical machine for preparation of auto parts to be mold and then assemble.
Fabricate and assemble aerospace test vehicles, support flight tests, conventional machining, use hand and power tools.

Molder apprentice example responsibilities.

experience achieving A1 finishes in various soft and harden tool steels.
Integrate technology into curriculum, supplementing class lectures and developing student's researching skills and internet and PowerPoint proficiency.
Remove and install custom size vinyl replacement windows for residential homes and commercial

Core maker vs molder apprentice skills

Common core maker skills

Hand Tools, 38%
Sand Molds, 11%
Aluminum Castings, 9%
Core Boxes, 6%
Sift, 6%
Fork Trucks, 5%

Common molder apprentice skills

Plastic Injection, 54%
Mold Components, 19%
Grinders, 11%
CNC Machines, 10%
Manual Lathes, 6%

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs