Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 59%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic 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 59% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 33,190 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $46,170 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 59% for contact with people.
- Also called: Bed Laborer, Caster, Injection Molding Machine Operator, Machine Operator.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pour, pack, spread, or press plaster, concrete, or other materials into or around models or molds | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| Trim or remove excess material, using scrapers, knives, or band saws | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Measure ingredients and mix molding, casting material, or sealing compounds to prescribed consistencies, according to formulas | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean, finish, and lubricate molds and mold parts | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Separate models or patterns from molds and examine products for accuracy | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Load or stack filled molds in ovens, dryers, or curing boxes, or on storage racks or carts | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Brush or spray mold surfaces with parting agents or insert paper into molds to ensure smoothness and prevent sticking or seepage | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Remove excess materials and level and smooth wet mold mixtures | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,060
- Bakers58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,160
- Furniture Finishers50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $44,540
- Slaughterers and Meat Packers52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $40,130
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic?
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 molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic today and 59% 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 51-9195.00 (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). Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/molders-shapers-and-casters-except-metal-and-plastic/