Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$49,190
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $46,170
State Rank
#10 of 48
3,590 employed here

How much do Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic make in California?

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic working in California earn a median salary of $49,190 per year, or about $23.65 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $46,170 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,790 while the top 10% make $70,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,180 and $58,770 a year.

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,790$18.17
25th percentile (early career)$45,180$21.72
50th percentile (median)$49,190$23.65
75th percentile (experienced)$58,770$28.25
90th percentile (top earners)$70,720$34.00

How California compares

California ranks 10th out of 48 states and territories for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Montana$57,860
2Hawaii$55,990
3Oregon$52,740
4Connecticut$52,520
5Washington$51,780

Working as Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in California

Nationally, about 33,000 people work as Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($49,190) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic make in California?
The median Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary in California is $49,190 per year, or about $23.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,790 at the entry level to $70,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic about 7% more than the national median of $46,170. California ranks 10th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,190 a year. About 3,590 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary report

Related salaries

Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters

$62,620
median pay · specialist role

Machinist

$58,750
median pay · 287,000 employed

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

$42,660
median pay · 11,000 employed

Engine and Other Machine Assemblers

$53,710
median pay · 34,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.