Prevailing Wage for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
The prevailing wage for Core Machine Operator positions sets the minimum salary a U.S. employer must pay when sponsoring a visa. Whether the role is titled Die Cast Technician, Mold Setter, or Diecast Machine Operator, DOL assigns four experience levels to this occupation, and the wage floor shifts considerably depending on the worksite city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level operators with limited experience performing routine tasks under close supervision. Workers at this stage typically follow established procedures for machine setup and operation without independent judgment on process adjustments.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation. It fits operators who work independently on standard molding or casting tasks, apply moderate experience to troubleshoot minor issues, and need only occasional guidance from senior staff.
Level 3 applies to experienced operators who handle complex setups, troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, and may informally guide newer workers. They apply broad knowledge of mold or casting parameters and adapt to non-routine production challenges.
Level 4 covers fully competent lead-level operators who independently manage difficult setups, train others, and are accountable for quality and throughput outcomes across a production line or shift.
Prevailing Wage for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Core Machine Operator and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Verify your worksite city before comparing wages
The prevailing wage for Die Cast Technician and Mold Setter roles varies sharply by metro. A position in Bremerton, WA pays a Level 1 floor roughly two-thirds higher than the national median, while Brownsville, TX sits well below it.
Watch how production bonuses affect wage compliance
Employers in metal and plastic casting sometimes include shift-differential pay or production bonuses in total compensation packages. DOL prevailing wage compliance counts only the base wage offered on the LCA, so bonus-heavy offers may still fall short of the floor.
Understand why Mold Technician titles get misfiled
Roles advertised as Mold Technician or Machine Operator are sometimes filed under broader manufacturing SOC codes rather than SOC 51-4072, which can mean a different prevailing wage applies. Confirm the SOC code on the employer's LCA matches the actual job duties.
Find sponsors with a history of filing this role
Migrate Mate shows which employers have sponsored Core Machine Operator and Die Cast Technician roles before, so you can focus your search on companies with a documented H-1B or green card filing record for this specific occupation.
Jobs for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Core Machine OperatorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-4072.00 alongside Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Core Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Core Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Core Machine Operator positions fall under SOC 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Die Cast Technician Prevailing Wage
Die Cast Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Die Cast Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Diecast Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Diecast Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Diecast Machine Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator positions fall under SOC 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Mold Setter Prevailing Wage
Mold Setter Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Mold Setter for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Mold Technician Prevailing Wage
Mold Technician Prevailing Wage
Mold Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Molder Prevailing Wage
Molder Prevailing Wage
Molder positions fall under SOC 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Process Technician Prevailing Wage
Process Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Process Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Production Technician Prevailing Wage
Production Technician Prevailing Wage
Production Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL determine the prevailing wage for Core Machine Operator roles?
DOL sets prevailing wages for Core Machine Operator and related titles using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These figures are published through the OFLC Wage Search tool by SOC code and metropolitan area. Employers must pay at least the wage corresponding to the assigned level before DOL will certify an LCA.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
The four levels reflect experience and independence: Level 1 is entry with close supervision, Level 2 is qualified and working independently, Level 3 is experienced with complex duties, and Level 4 is fully competent with lead or training responsibilities. The employer selects the level when filing the LCA based on the actual job duties. Review the LCA to confirm which level was used.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Mold Setter role differ so much between cities?
DOL uses regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys to capture local labor market rates, so wages reflect what employers in each metro actually pay. The LCA worksite rule requires the employer to use wages for the specific city where the employee will work, not the company's headquarters. Markets with dense manufacturing industries and higher living costs set a higher floor than rural or lower-cost regions.
What happens if a sponsored offer is below the prevailing wage for this occupation?
If the offered wage falls below the DOL prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite, OFLC will not certify the LCA. Without a certified LCA, USCIS will not approve the H-1B petition. For green card PERM cases, DOL similarly requires the offered wage to meet or exceed the prevailing wage, and a deficient wage is grounds for denial.
How do I verify the prevailing wage for a Core Machine Operator position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool and enter SOC code 51-4072 along with the worksite metropolitan area. The tool returns all four wage levels for that location. Cross-reference the level on the employer's LCA to confirm the offered salary meets the correct floor. O*NET also provides occupational context that can help confirm whether the posted job aligns with this SOC code.
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