Will AI replace foundry mold and coremakers?AI replacement risk 34% and how the work is changing

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$48,110

25th–75th pct. $41,870–$57,350

Top pay (est.)

$81,400

Top 10% $62,640

Pay in 5 years

$54,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$60,500est.

$52,000–$70,300

Outlook score

28/100

★☆☆☆☆ Weak

AI replacement risk

34%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

−23.0%

800 openings / yr

Will AI replace Foundry Mold and Coremakers? AI replacement risk

34%

Low

Ranked #296 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations

Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Foundry Mold and Coremakers

Key skills

Monitoring

2.6

Time Management

2.5

Critical Thinking

2.5

Coordination

2.5

Operation and Control

2.4

Operations Monitoring

2.4

Judgment and Decision Making

2.2

Active Listening

2.2

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Mechanical

4.0

Education and Training

4.0

Production and Processing

3.9

Chemistry

3.5

Engineering and Technology

3.3

Physics

3.3

Design

3.2

Building and Construction

3.0

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsControlling Machines and ProcessesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Important abilities

Manual DexterityStatic StrengthReaction TimeTrunk StrengthArm-Hand SteadinessNear Vision

Education of workers

High school diploma

64%

Less than high school

36%

Training before entry

None / short demo

36%

3–6 months

25%

1–3 months

18%

Over 10 years

11%

6–12 months

Up to 1 month

Related work experience

None

56%

6–12 months

12%

3–6 months

12%

Over 10 years

11%

1–2 years

1–3 months

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair.	$49,590	60/100	26%
2	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.	$50,620	61/100	27%
3	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.	$74,450	50/100	47%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.	$79,860	58/100	38%
5	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications.	$48,570	45/100	55%
6	Industrial Machinery Mechanics Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.	$64,520	74/100	26%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.