Compression Moulding Machine Operator
Role lens
Compression moulding machine operators set up and operate machines to mould plastic products, according to requirements. They select and install dies on press. Compression moulding machine operators weigh the amount of premixed compound needed and pour it into the die well. They regulate the temperature of dies.
Compression moulding machine operators are skilled professionals responsible for the setup and operation of machinery used to create plastic products. Your day will involve preparing the machines, carefully measuring and loading materials, monitoring the moulding process, and ensuring the final products meet required specifications. This role demands precision, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety.
- • Selecting and installing appropriate dies on the compression moulding press.
- • Accurately weighing and pouring premixed plastic compound into the die well.
- • Regulating die temperature to ensure optimal moulding conditions.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Stationary plant and machine operators — 259 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany and 7 more.
Longest-running shortage: Belgium, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $44,350 2025-05 | −3.8% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +42.9% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Surplus reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £29,644 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
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Future Outlook for compression moulding machine operator
The outlook for compression moulding machine operator reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could compression moulding machine operator change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
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How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- use personal protection equipment
- monitor gauge
- optimise production processes parameters
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- extract products from moulds
- monitor valves
- dump batches
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a compression moulding machine operator
09 09:00 · Morning tend compression moulding machine
10 10:30 · Mid-morning install press dies
12 12:00 · Midday move levers
14 14:00 · Afternoon dump batches
15 15:30 · Late afternoon extract products from moulds
17 17:00 · Wrap-up manipulate plastic
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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extract products from moulds
Remove finished products from moulds and examine them in detail for anomalies.
-
monitor valves
Monitor and accordingly adjust the valves in order to allow a specific amount of liquids (such as ammonia sulfuric acid or viscous soap) or steam into the mixer or machine.
-
optimise production processes parameters
Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
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dump batches
Dump the batches into conveyors making sure the specifications such as the mixing time are followed.
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manipulate plastic
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of plastic.
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monitor gauge
Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
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move levers
Move levers in order to facilitate the tile or pipe cutting or to adjust the automatic oilers.
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install press dies
Install and coat dies on presses by using handtools, bolts and clamps.
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use personal protection equipment
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
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tend compression moulding machine
Tend the compression machine used to mould plastic and other powder products such as copper, graphite or carbon.
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measure materials
Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.
types of plastic
Types of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.
manufacturing of daily use goods
The manufacturing of items used in the daily life, personal use or daily practice. These products include protective safety equipment, drawing equipment, stamps, umbrellas, cigarette lighters, baskets, candles, and many other miscellaneous articles.
manufacturing of sports equipment
The manufacture of products and equipment used for both outdoor and indoor sports activities, such as balls, rackets, ski's, surfboards, fishing, hunting, skating or fitness centre equipment.
- dies
- quality standards
- mechanics
- plastic welding
Path to become a compression moulding machine operator
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Upper secondary education
28 programmes in 6 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 18 short courses that build single skills.
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does compression moulding machine operator fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of training or experience is helpful for this role?
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Is this a job that typically offers opportunities for advancement?
How much does Compression Moulding Machine Operator pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data