What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in the U.S. earn more than $46,170 a year — the middle 80% land between $35,850 and $61,530. About 33,190 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$46,170typical pay / year
33,190people in this work
$61,530+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Keeping the record5
Introduce shaped clay into kilns
+Load the kiln with the bisque and glazed bowls from Wednesday’s firing, group by clay body and glaze so heat…
Introduce shaped clay into kilns
+Load the kiln with the bisque and glazed bowls from Wednesday’s firing, group by clay body and glaze so heat distribution is even, log chamber placement and target firing schedule, then start the ramp ensuring venting is open and check progress at the slow hold.
The tools that do the workInventory controlESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Design clay forms and molds
+Sketch a set of five new vase profiles for the autumn collection, cut and test three plaster molds for the…
Design clay forms and molds
+Sketch a set of five new vase profiles for the autumn collection, cut and test three plaster molds for the largest profile, note clay type and shrinkage numbers, and label each mold with intended glaze and production run size.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Prepare work for sale or exhibition
+Select the best two dozen finished pieces for the weekend market and the eight show pieces for the gallery,…
Prepare work for sale or exhibition
+Select the best two dozen finished pieces for the weekend market and the eight show pieces for the gallery, inspect each for glaze defects and foot trimming, price and tag them, then pack the market set with protective layers and list the gallery pieces with provenance notes.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Adjust wheel speeds according to clay feel
+Begin the throwing session by testing center and trimming speed on the stoneware lump, adjust wheel torque…
Adjust wheel speeds according to clay feel
+Begin the throwing session by testing center and trimming speed on the stoneware lump, adjust wheel torque and foot pedal response until the clay feels stable under light pressure, note the speed settings that held shape for three consecutive pieces.
The tools that do the workInventory controljob descriptionsO*NET
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Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance
+Measure the rim diameter, height and wall thickness of the production set of ten plates, compare each to the…
Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance
+Measure the rim diameter, height and wall thickness of the production set of ten plates, compare each to the specification sheet for the porcelain line, mark any outliers, and update the quality log with measured values and pass/fail status.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Coordinate1
Order materials and supplies as needed
+Review current stock of stoneware, porcelain slips, glazes and kiln shelves, create a replenishment list for…
Order materials and supplies as needed
+Review current stock of stoneware, porcelain slips, glazes and kiln shelves, create a replenishment list for items below par levels with required lead times, email the supplier contact with quantities and desired delivery dates, and flag urgent items.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookInventory controljob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Quality standards
+Draft the updated quality standards sheet for the dinnerware line: list acceptable clay bodies, firing…
Quality standards
+Draft the updated quality standards sheet for the dinnerware line: list acceptable clay bodies, firing temperature ranges, glaze thickness tolerances, defect categories with photos, and the final inspection checklist to train Emma and Rafi by next Tuesday.
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Ceramics glazes
+Compile a glaze specification pack for the studio: include intended color recipes, batch weights, application…
Ceramics glazes
+Compile a glaze specification pack for the studio: include intended color recipes, batch weights, application methods, firing schedules, safety notes, and three test-tile photos for each glaze to review with the kiln operator on Friday.
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Move workpieces from wheels to dry
+Move the just-thrown cups, bowls and vases from the wheels to the shelving rack for greenware drying, group…
Move workpieces from wheels to dry
+Move the just-thrown cups, bowls and vases from the wheels to the shelving rack for greenware drying, group them by clay body and thickness, note any hairline cracks, and leave labels showing kiln order and estimated dry time.
The tools that do the workInventory controljob descriptionsO*NET
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Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels
+Pull the wire loops through bases of the new tea sets and candlesticks to separate them cleanly from the…
Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels
+Pull the wire loops through bases of the new tea sets and candlesticks to separate them cleanly from the wheel, trim excess clay, check foot rings for evenness, and stack them on the bench with maker initials and date.
The tools that do the workInventory controljob descriptionsO*NET
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Start and observe production equipment
+Start the pug mill and kiln vent, observe the wedging table and wheel stations for the first hour of the…
Start and observe production equipment
+Start the pug mill and kiln vent, observe the wedging table and wheel stations for the first hour of the morning shift, log any vibration, feed rate or temperature anomalies, and tag any machine that needs maintenance.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Teach pottery classes.
+Teach tonight's six-student throwing class: prepare three demonstration pieces, set out clay, tools and…
Teach pottery classes.
+Teach tonight's six-student throwing class: prepare three demonstration pieces, set out clay, tools and glazes, run a forty-five minute demo on centering and opening, circulate to correct grips, and collect feedback forms at the end.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
+Smooth rims and exterior walls of the serving bowl batch with rubber scrapers and wet sponges, remove…
Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
+Smooth rims and exterior walls of the serving bowl batch with rubber scrapers and wet sponges, remove throwing lines without thinning the walls, inspect each for wobble, and set aside any that need reworking.
The tools that do the workInventory controlO*NET
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Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
+Adjust the press and kiln controller settings for the porcelain run: lower wheel trimming pressure, raise…
Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
+Adjust the press and kiln controller settings for the porcelain run: lower wheel trimming pressure, raise kiln compartment temperature by 10°C for the bisque cycle, test a trim on a sample piece, and record the new settings with the batch ID.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay
+Operate the pug mill to blend reclaimed and fresh clay into a homogenous batch, check moisture and air…
Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay
+Operate the pug mill to blend reclaimed and fresh clay into a homogenous batch, check moisture and air pockets during extrusion, collect 50kg of extruded clay into sealed tubs, and note any texture irregularities for tomorrow's firing.
The tools that do the workInventory controljob descriptions
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Mix and apply glazes to finished products
+Weigh and mix glaze ingredients to match the studio recipe for celadon, test on a sample tile, apply two even…
Mix and apply glazes to finished products
+Weigh and mix glaze ingredients to match the studio recipe for celadon, test on a sample tile, apply two even dip coats to 30 finished mugs, label the glaze batch with date and firing range, and flag any poorly adhering pieces for rework.
The tools that do the workInventory controljob descriptions
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Examine finished ware for defects
+Inspect today's load of 40 finished pieces under daylight for cracks, pinholes, warping and glaze runs,…
Examine finished ware for defects
+Inspect today's load of 40 finished pieces under daylight for cracks, pinholes, warping and glaze runs, separate failures from saleable stock, photograph defects for the quality log, and add rework instructions to each failed piece.
The tools that do the workInventory controljob descriptions
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Create end-products such as pottery, stoneware, earthenware, and porcelain
+Throw, trim and assemble forms for 24 items across earthenware and stoneware lines this week, finish surfaces…
Create end-products such as pottery, stoneware, earthenware, and porcelain
+Throw, trim and assemble forms for 24 items across earthenware and stoneware lines this week, finish surfaces to meet studio standards, paint decorative designs on 12 pieces, and record which glazes and firing schedules each item requires.
The tools that do the workInventory controlESCO
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Heat clay in kilns at high temperature to remove water
+Load the kiln with bisque ware, program the ramp and soak to reach the prescribed temperature for stoneware,…
Heat clay in kilns at high temperature to remove water
+Load the kiln with bisque ware, program the ramp and soak to reach the prescribed temperature for stoneware, monitor temperature rise and kiln atmosphere during the 12-hour firing, then cool and log the kiln cycle and any anomalies.
The tools that do the workInventory controlESCO
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Types of pottery material
+Review clay suppliers and current stock to verify porcelain, stoneware and earthenware clays meet moisture…
Types of pottery material
+Review clay suppliers and current stock to verify porcelain, stoneware and earthenware clays meet moisture and plasticity specs, update the material inventory with batch numbers and reorder points, and flag any off-spec deliveries.
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses