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The differences between molding technicians and die setters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a molding technician has an average salary of $40,696, which is higher than the $37,673 average annual salary of a die setter.
The top three skills for a molding technician include preventative maintenance, hand tools and auxiliary equipment. The most important skills for a die setter are die-setter, calipers, and overhead cranes.
| Molding Technician | Die Setter | |
| Yearly salary | $40,696 | $37,673 |
| Hourly rate | $19.57 | $18.11 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 10,231 | 3,399 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A Molding Technician specializes in molding materials such as plastic or metal. They are responsible for operating and calibrating machinery, adhering to product guidelines, conducting quality inspections on finished products, lifting heavy materials, and training new workforce members. There are also instances where they must troubleshoot equipment problems, perform basic repairs, coordinate with managers or engineers, and conduct regular maintenance checks. Molding Technicians must maintain an active communication line with staff while adhering to its safety policies and regulations.
In manufacturing facilities, a die setter is primarily in charge of setting up machines and equipment, selecting and utilizing various tools, preparing molds, gathering measurements and analyzing data, keeping records, monitoring the operations of machinery, and processing products according to protocols. They may also conduct regular maintenance checks, troubleshoot errors, perform basic repairs or adjustments, and produce regular reports for managers. Moreover, a die setter usually works in a team setting, which requires an open and transparent communication line for an efficient workflow.
Molding technicians and die setters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Molding Technician | Die Setter | |
| Average salary | $40,696 | $37,673 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $51,000 | Between $29,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kearney, NE | Woodbury, MN |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Cummins | German American Chamber of Commerce |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a molding technician and a die setter in terms of educational background:
| Molding Technician | Die Setter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between molding technicians' and die setters' demographics:
| Molding Technician | Die Setter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5% | Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 7.2% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |