Plastics Products Manufacturing Workers
Overview
Introduction
Plastics products manufacturing workers mold, cast, and assemble products made of plastics materials. The objects they make include objects such as dishes, signs, toys, insulation, appliance parts, automobile parts, combs, gears, and bearings. There are approximately 77,600 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, tenders, and operators employed in the plastics products manufacturing industry.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The U.S. Department of Labor reports the following mean annual earnings for workers in plastics product manufacturing in May 2023:
- first-line supervisors of production and operating workers: $67,560
- computer numerically controlled tool programmers: $64,290
- model makers: $53,280
- inspectors: $42,620
- molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters,...
Work Environment
Most plastics industry workers work 40 hours per week, but some shifts may last 12 hours. Because plants operate on three shifts, entry-level workers may work nights and move to day shifts as they gain experience and seniority.
Plastics plants are generally safe, well lighted and ventilated, and modern. Workers must observe safety precautions when working around hot machines and plastics...
Outlook
Increased competition in foreign markets will reduce opportunities for plastics products manufacturing workers. As a result, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that employment for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, tenders, and operators in plastics products manufacturing will grow more slowly than the average for all careers through 2033. The DOL reports that "changes i...