Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
Repair and rework templates and patterns.
Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.
Top skills:Operations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoring
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic pay by experience level
Entry level$44,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$51,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$60,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$72,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$85,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-24.4%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
100
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic salary by industry
Primary Metal Manufacturing
720 workers
$66,000
Foundries
720 workers
$66,000
Machinery Manufacturing
280 workers
$63,000
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
260 workers
$53,500
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only)
150 workers
$52,500
Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing
140 workers
$59,500
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only)
100 workers
$55,000
Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only)
70 workers
$72,000
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
60 workers
$75,500
Miscellaneous Manufacturing
60 workers
$71,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic pays 12% above the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
Need Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
