Foundry Mold and Coremaker
Explore employment trends, required job duties and skills for this
career. ASU offers a variety of degrees that can help you prepare
for and meet your career goals. Visit
ASU's Career and Professional
Development Services
to learn how to develop your career plan.
Potential job titles in this career
Core Machine Operator,
Core Maker,
Core Stripper,
Coremaker,
Green Sand Molder,
Mold Maker,
Mold Operator,
Molder,
No Bake Molder,
Sand Molder
* Additional schooling, certification, or degrees maybe be required for some of the potential careers that are listed.
Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections.
Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools.
Position patterns inside mold sections, and clamp sections together.
Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring.
Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
Form and assemble slab cores around patterns, and position wire in mold sections to reinforce molds, using hand tools and glue.
Move and position workpieces, such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces.
Lift upper mold sections from lower sections, and remove molded patterns.
Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into molds.
Tend machines that bond cope and drag together to form completed shell molds.
In this career, it is important to know
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
It's useful to be good at
Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
| Location |
Pay period |
2025 |
| 10% |
25% |
Median% |
75% |
90% |
| United States |
Hourly |
$17.87
|
$20.13
|
$23.13
|
$27.57
|
$30.12
|
| Yearly |
$37,160
|
$41,870
|
$48,110
|
$57,350
|
$62,640
|
| Arizona |
Hourly |
|
|
|
|
|
| Yearly |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2025 Median% |
| United States |
$23.13
Hourly
|
$48,110
Yearly
|
| Arizona |
Hourly
|
Yearly
|
Employment (2025)
12,700
employees
Projected growth (2025 - 2035)
Decline (-2% or lower)
Projected job openings (2025 - 2035)
800
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite
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Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn
a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for
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Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or
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Students from western states who select this major may be eligible for a
reduced nonresident tuition rate of 150 percent of Arizona resident tuition
plus all applicable fees. See more information and eligibility requirements on
the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program
Web site.
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A minor is an approved, coherent focus of academic study in a single
discipline, other than the student's major, involving substantially fewer
hours of credit than a corresponding major. Certain major and minor
combinations may be deemed inappropriate either by the college or department
of the major or minor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain
additional math courses; See Curriculum for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor
of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor
of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor
of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT
119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor
of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251,
MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two
diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing
a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined
combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major
map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your
academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue
their own personal or professional interests.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which
provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two
distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must
meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted
individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which
provide high-achieving graduate students the opportunity to complete two
distinct but complementary graduate degrees at the same time. Students must
meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted
individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for
high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to share
undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of
their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum
taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for
high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to share
undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of
their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum
taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a
regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be
mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa
documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application
materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be
received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are
incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that
are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the
priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted
after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were
completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all
materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
The 24-Month STEM OPT Extension is an additional benefit from United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services that allows international students in F-1
status who receive a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in an approved
STEM field to apply for a 24-month extension of their standard 12-month
Post-OPT period, twice in a lifetime. This allows international students the
opportunity to gain additional off-campus work experience in their field of
study after completion of course studies and Post-OPT. The OPT extension does
not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
