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The differences between molding technicians and mold 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 $35,936 average annual salary of a mold setter.
The top three skills for a molding technician include preventative maintenance, hand tools and auxiliary equipment. The most important skills for a mold setter are hand tools, mold changes, and hydraulic presses.
| Molding Technician | Mold Setter | |
| Yearly salary | $40,696 | $35,936 |
| Hourly rate | $19.57 | $17.28 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 10,231 | 3,007 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| 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.
A mold setter positions molds used to cast products from a variety of materials such as plastic, metals, lead and composites. In this position, they are responsible for controlling the flow of materials into a machine, monitoring the process to prevent issues, and interpreting blueprints to ensure machinery is set accordingly. They are also responsible for ensuring products are produced accurately and within set time constrictions.
Molding technicians and mold setters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Molding Technician | Mold Setter | |
| Average salary | $40,696 | $35,936 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $51,000 | Between $26,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kearney, NE | Salem, OR |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Cummins | Silgan Holdings |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a molding technician and a mold setter in terms of educational background:
| Molding Technician | Mold Setter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between molding technicians' and mold setters' demographics:
| Molding Technician | Mold Setter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5% | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% |
| 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, 9.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 7.9% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |