The U.S. Department of Labor reports the following mean annual earnings for workers in plastics product manufacturing in May 2019: first-line supervisors of production and operating workers, $60,250; model makers, $50,620; inspectors, $37,260; molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, tenders, and operators, $32,920; and assemblers and fabricators, $31,230. Salaries for these workers ra...

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...

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 plastic machine workers will decline through 2028. Opportunities for computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic will be much better, growing much faster than the average for all careers thr...