Patternmakers, metal and plastic salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,460 | $20.42 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $58,000 | $27.89 |
| Mean (average) | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| 90th percentile | $82,590 | $39.71 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Patternmakers, metal and plastic pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 12 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,290 | $42,880 | $62,390 | 110 | 5.41 |
| Indiana | $54,740 | $35,560 | $75,830 | 80 | 2.7 |
| Iowa | $63,420 | $50,720 | $82,950 | 90 | 6.32 |
| Massachusetts | $65,210 | $63,130 | $70,510 | ||
| Michigan | $53,780 | $34,180 | $96,140 | 250 | 5.94 |
| Minnesota | $74,900 | $50,790 | $74,900 | 60 | 2.19 |
| North Carolina | $47,050 | $32,060 | $66,500 | 40 | 0.78 |
| Ohio | $97,690 | $40,210 | $97,690 | 70 | 1.27 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,150 | $45,220 | $75,330 | 160 | 2.85 |
| Texas | $49,390 | $36,000 | $63,320 | 40 | 0.29 |
| Washington | $59,800 | $44,090 | $83,380 | 30 | 0.96 |
| Wisconsin | $52,150 | $47,850 | $75,850 | 230 | 8.42 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for patternmakers, metal and plastic
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 100. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for patternmakers, metal and plastic
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking CIP 48.0506
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.
- Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
- Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
- Repair and rework templates and patterns.
- Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.
- Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
- Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates.
- Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.
Technology skills
- Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- 3D Systems Geomagic Design X
- Delcam PowerMILL
- Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness.
Common job titles: Die Cast Die Maker, Fixture Builder, Journeyman Patternmaker, Layout Technician (Layout Tech), Metal Mold Maker, Metal Patternmaker, Model Maker, Mold Maker, Pattern Repair Person, Wax Molder.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do patternmakers, metal and plastic make?
The national median annual wage for patternmakers, metal and plastic was $58,000 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $42,460 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $82,590. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do patternmakers, metal and plastic need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is patternmakers, metal and plastic a growing career?
BLS projects employment of patternmakers, metal and plastic to change -22.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 100 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay patternmakers, metal and plastic the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Ohio ($97,690), Minnesota ($74,900), Massachusetts ($65,210). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.