Employment data isn't available specifically for this occupation from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, so we are using the data from Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic.

SUMMARY

What does this snowflake show?

The Snowflake is a visual summary of the five badges: Automation Risk (calculated), Risk (polled), Growth, Wages and Volume. It gives you an instant snapshot of an occupations profile. The colour of the Snowflake relates to its size. The better the occupation scores in relation to others, the larger and greener the Snowflake becomes.

JOB SCORE

3.7/10

What's this?

Job Score (higher is better):

We rate jobs using four factors. These are:

- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions

These are some key things to think about when job hunting.

Occupation snapshot

What does this snowflake show?

The Snowflake is a visual summary of the five badges: Automation Risk (calculated), Risk (polled), Growth, Wages and Volume. It gives you an instant snapshot of an occupations profile. The colour of the Snowflake relates to its size. The better the occupation scores in relation to others, the larger and greener the Snowflake becomes.

JOB SCORE

3.7/10

What's this?

Job Score (higher is better):

We rate jobs using four factors. These are:

- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions

These are some key things to think about when job hunting.

Risk & user votes

Calculated automation risk

72% (High Risk)

High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Human strengths important in this job

These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.

Critical thinking

Quite important

Why this matters

Weigh options using logic and evidence, spot weaknesses in arguments, and choose the best approach when there isn’t a single clear answer.

Jobs that also use this strength

Education and training expertise

Quite important

Why this matters

Designing and delivering instruction—adapting lessons to different learners and measuring whether training actually works.

Jobs that also use this strength

What users think

Based on 16 votes

52% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted they are unsure if this occupation will be automated. However, the automation risk level we have generated suggests a much higher chance of automation: 72% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?

Highly likely

Moderate

Uncertain

Low

No chance

View sentiment trend

Pay & outlook

Wages

Low paid relative to other professions

In 2024, the median annual wage for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic was $45,690 ($22 per hour).

The median annual wage for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic was 7.7% lower than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Growth

Very fast growth relative to other professions

The number of 'Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic' job openings is expected to rise 6.2% by 2034

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2023 and 2033
Updated projections are due 09-2025.

Volume

Lower range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2024 there were 34,750 people employed as 'Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic' within the United States.

This represents around < 0.001% of the employed workforce across the country

Put another way, around 1 in 4 thousand people are employed as 'Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic'.

What people are saying (1)

Luis (No chance)

23 Oct 2021 16:27

There is a vast automation industry already in glass, but it shouldn't grow anymore, this is a really complex task for machine learning.

Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers

Explore safer careers (4)

At a glance