Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 60%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Foundry Mold and Coremakers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 60% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 12,790 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $48,110 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 62% for contact with people.
- Also called: Core Machine Operator, Core Maker, Core Stripper, Coremaker.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools | 23% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Position patterns inside mold sections, and clamp sections together | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Move and position workpieces, such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Lift upper mold sections from lower sections, and remove molded patterns | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into molds | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills foundry mold and coremakers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,380
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $53,710
- Roof Bolters, Mining57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,540
- Riggers52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $62,640
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Foundry Mold and Coremakers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of foundry mold and coremakers?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of foundry mold and coremakers today and 60% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-4071.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Foundry Mold and Coremakers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/foundry-mold-and-coremakers/