Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between molding technicians and molder operators 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 $31,707 average annual salary of a molder operator.
The top three skills for a molding technician include preventative maintenance, hand tools and auxiliary equipment. The most important skills for a molder operator are GMP, quality checks, and dexterity.
| Molding Technician | Molder Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $40,696 | $31,707 |
| Hourly rate | $19.57 | $15.24 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 10,231 | 66,217 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| 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 molder operator sets up for the production of millwork, which is a crucial and major output of precision wood products. This position requires experience with all machinery associated with the woodworking industry. The responsibilities of a molder operator include setting up and operating the molder, inspecting the stock being cut, and verifying the dimensions of cut material to ensure they match specifications.
Molding technicians and molder operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Molding Technician | Molder Operator | |
| Average salary | $40,696 | $31,707 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $51,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kearney, NE | Milford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Cummins | BD |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a molding technician and a molder operator in terms of educational background:
| Molding Technician | Molder Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between molding technicians' and molder operators' demographics:
| Molding Technician | Molder Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5% | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% |
| 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, 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% |