Molder vs shaper

The differences between molders and shapers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a shaper has an average salary of $46,595, which is higher than the $32,562 average annual salary of a molder.

The top three skills for a molder include safety procedures, sand molds and PPE. The most important skills for a shaper are assembly line, , and .

Molder vs shaper overview

	Molder	Shaper
Yearly salary	$32,562	$46,595
Hourly rate	$15.65	$22.40
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	914	334
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	45	43
Years of experience	-	-

Molder vs shaper salary

Molders and shapers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Molder	Shaper
Average salary	$32,562	$46,595
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $25,000 And $85,000
Highest paying City	Princeton, MN	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Avanos Medical	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between molder and shaper education

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

	Molder	Shaper
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Molder vs shaper demographics

Here are the differences between molders' and shapers' demographics:

	Molder	Shaper
Average age	45	43
Gender ratio	Male, 77.4% Female, 22.6%	Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 7.1% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	3%	5%

Differences between molder and shaper duties and responsibilities

Molder example responsibilities.

experience achieving A1 finishes in various soft and harden tool steels.
Mold weather stripping for honda vehicles.
Perform capability studies to ensure SPC.
Transform mold making facility to modern operation trough computers, network, CNC equipment and cost effective mold fabrication process.
Demonstrate efficient manual dexterity at a rapid and continuous rate.
Manufacture DVD's using various hydraulic molding presses and rebonders.

Shaper example responsibilities.

Run countertops through shaper machine then form them to the style request.
Operate plastic mold machines, building of mixing machines, assemble parts on lid line, run stock to departments if need
Help shape surfboards and work around the shaping wear house.
Position or align components for assembly, manually or using hoists.Rework, repair, or replace damage parts or assemblies.

Molder vs shaper skills

Common molder skills

Safety Procedures, 18%
Sand Molds, 16%
PPE, 8%
Quality Checks, 6%
Data Sheets, 6%
CNC, 5%

Common shaper skills

Assembly Line, 100%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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