Molder apprentice vs molder operator

The differences between molder apprentices and molder operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a molder apprentice has an average salary of $36,859, which is higher than the $31,707 average annual salary of a molder operator.

The top three skills for a molder apprentice include plastic injection, mold components and grinders. The most important skills for a molder operator are GMP, quality checks, and dexterity.

Molder apprentice vs molder operator overview

	Molder Apprentice	Molder Operator
Yearly salary	$36,859	$31,707
Hourly rate	$17.72	$15.24
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	6,117	66,217
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Molder apprentice vs molder operator salary

Molder apprentices and molder operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Molder Apprentice	Molder Operator
Average salary	$36,859	$31,707
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $51,000	Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Milford, CT
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between molder apprentice and molder operator education

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

	Molder Apprentice	Molder Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Molder apprentice vs molder operator demographics

Here are the differences between molder apprentices' and molder operators' demographics:

	Molder Apprentice	Molder Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9%	Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 7.3% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between molder apprentice and molder operator duties and responsibilities

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

Molder operator example responsibilities.

Require molding expect rate of part producing and achieving ISO QualityStandards.
Mold canoes and kayaks also flash them.
Handle all the chemicals alone with proper PPE.
Certify to run both a bobcat and forklift.
Mold plastic casting of kayaks after pop out the oven.
Work on mold presses, extrusion line making material to be mold into parts.

Molder apprentice vs molder operator skills

Common molder apprentice skills

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

Common molder operator skills

GMP, 10%
Quality Checks, 8%
Dexterity, 8%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Quality Standards, 7%
Basic Math, 6%

Updated January 8, 2025

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