Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic: Salary $60,940, How to Join a Shrinking Field
Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic earn a median $60,940 per year, according to the latest BLS data. That works out to about $29 an hour, with half of workers making between $40,040 and $97,750. It's a small field—just 4,080 jobs nationwide—and most workers are in manufacturing settings, building prototypes and molds for everything from car parts to medical devices.
How much Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic earn
The median annual wage for Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic is $60,940. The mean wage is slightly higher at $65,710, reflecting that some top earners pull up the average. Most workers earn between $40,040 (10th percentile) and $97,750 (90th percentile). Pay depends on experience, industry, and location.
Typical industries include machinery manufacturing, transportation equipment, and fabricated metal product manufacturing. Those in aerospace or specialized industrial machinery tend to earn more.
Pay by state
BLS data does not provide state-level breakdowns for this occupation due to its small size. However, states with large manufacturing bases—like Michigan, Ohio, California, and Texas—likely offer higher wages. Check local job postings for real-time salary ranges in your area.
How to become Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
The typical path starts with a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by training. Many workers learn through apprenticeships or on-the-job training that lasts several years. Some attend technical schools or community colleges for certificate or associate degree programs in machining, toolmaking, or CAD/CAM.
Key skills include manual dexterity, attention to detail, and familiarity with blueprints, precision measuring tools, and CNC machines. While no formal license is required, certifications from groups like the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) can boost job prospects.
- Complete high school with courses in math, drafting, and shop.
- Enroll in a machining or patternmaking program at a trade school or community college (optional but helpful).
- Find an apprenticeship or entry-level job offering on-the-job training.
- Learn to read blueprints and operate manual and CNC tools.
- Earn voluntary certifications, such as NIMS credentials.
Job outlook
The BLS does not provide a projected growth rate for this occupation from 2024 to 2034, which often signals a very small occupation where projections are not statistically reliable. Employment change likely mirrors broader trends in U.S. manufacturing, which has seen slow growth or slight declines due to automation. However, skilled patternmakers remain needed for custom, low-volume work that machines can't replace.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest-paying industry for Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic?
Typically, aerospace product and parts manufacturing pays the highest wages for this occupation, followed by other advanced manufacturing sectors.
Do Model Makers and Patternmakers need a degree?
No, a degree is not required. Most workers enter through apprenticeships or on-the-job training after high school. A technical school certificate can help, but experience and skill matter most.
Is this job being replaced by automation?
Some tasks have been automated by CNC machines and 3D printing, but skilled patternmakers are still needed for complex or custom prototypes that require hands-on expertise.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic data.