What is the salary of a Patternmaker, Metal and Plastic?

The typical salary range is $38,178 - $76,356 per year.

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What does a typical day look like as a Patternmaker, Metal and Plastic?

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Supply Chain & ProductionDeclining

Patternmaker, Metal and Plastic

Operational-level

Also known as: Acoustical Tile Patternmaker, All-Around Patternmaker, Boilermaker Loftsman, Chart Writer

Supply Chain & ProductionBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a Patternmaker, Metal and Plastic, you use your hands to lay out, machine, fit, and assemble patterns for casting metal and plastic parts. You work in a workshop environment, often exposed to contaminants, and wear safety gear. Precision and accuracy are crucial as you create molds for everything from small components to large industrial parts. This role suits individuals who enjoy hands-on work, problem-solving, and collaborating in a team, relying on strong math, reading, and critical thinking skills.

PatternmakingFoundry TechnologyMold MakingMachiningMaterials ScienceManufacturing EngineeringIndustrial TechnologySkilled TradeProductionManufacturing

A Day in the Life

You pull into the "MetalCraft Patterns" parking lot just before 7 AM, the smell of machining oil already in the air. First, you head to the locker room to don your steel-toed boots, safety glasses, and hearing protection. At your workstation, you power up the computer, opening the latest SolidWorks CAD model for a new industrial pump housing. You review the complex geometries and tight tolerances, cross-referencing with the physical blueprint on your desk. Today’s schedule is ambitious, starting with a large pattern.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Autodesk AutoCAD Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

-22.8%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

100

per year (US)

Jobs today

1,500

in 2025 → 1,100 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

Moderate

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

High

Freedom to make decisions

Moderate

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Low

Working outdoors

Low

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

Low

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Declining Job Market

The job outlook for Patternmakers is expected to decline by 22.8% through 2035, with about 100 openings available per year. The median annual wage is around $58,000. While the field is shrinking, skilled workers may advance to roles like Tool and Die Maker or Quality Control Manager, or specialize in specific material types.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Machinist Apprentice
Foundry Worker
Manufacturing Production Technician

Patternmaker, Metal and Plastic

Where it can lead

Tool and Die Maker
Manufacturing Engineer
Quality Control Manager

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will likely enhance the design and analysis phases for patternmakers. Generative design tools can assist in optimizing patterns for material efficiency and structural integrity, while AI-powered vision systems can improve quality control during fitting and assembly. Automation in machining processes may reduce manual labor for repetitive tasks, allowing patternmakers to focus on complex problem-solving and custom projects.

Salary

$58,000

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

Relevant Studies

Based on job level & field

Manufacturing Engineering

Bachelor • Tech & Engineering • 4 years

Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician