SOC 51-9195 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic — Missouri
Missouri · 4 metro areas compared
At $46,380, median pay for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in Missouri tracks the national median of $46,170 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $46,380, median pay for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in Missouri tracks the national median of $46,170 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $40,820 and $51,790. The lowest tenth earn under $34,700, while the highest tenth earn more than $59,880.
Employment stands at 690, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 48 states with published data for this occupation, Missouri ranks 25th by median wage. Joplin leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $52,560. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 524th of 733 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,700 | −24.8% |
| 25th | $40,820 | −11.6% |
| Median (50th) | $46,380 | +0.5% |
| 75th | $51,790 | +12.2% |
| 90th | $59,880 | +29.7% |
| Mean | $47,170 | +2.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joplin | $52,560 | 70 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $50,370 | 370 | |
| 3 | St. Louis | $43,460 | 260 | |
| 4 | Springfield | $43,300 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $46,380 goes as far as $51,079 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,380as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,079US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,380 a year, 0.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,700 to $59,880 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 690 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 25th of 48 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Joplin, at $52,560.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in Missouri?
The median annual wage is $46,380, or $22.30 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $46,170, so pay in Missouri is 0.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Missouri earns more than $59,880 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,700 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Joplin, at $52,560 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 690 jobs in this occupation in Missouri. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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