Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Career, Salary and Skills
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $63,340 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 2,610. Wage data is published for 25 locations.
Occupation description
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers.
O*NET code
51-4061.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$63,340
Hourly median
$30.45
Employment
2,610
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.62 | 3.50 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.50 | 3.38 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Time Management | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Repairing | 2.88 | 2.88 |
Typical tasks
- Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
- Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
- Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.
- Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
- Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
- Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.
- Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
- Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.
Technology
- CNC Software Mastercam
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
- PTC Creo Parametric
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in MIMedian $60,540 · Employment 710
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Detroit, MIMedian $81,110 · Employment 490
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in CAMedian $92,960 · Employment 260
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in TXMedian $65,920 · Employment 230
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in NYMedian $77,710 · Employment 120
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $94,950 · Employment 120
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in MAMedian $67,830 · Employment 100
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in New York, NYMedian $77,710 · Employment 80
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Grand Rapids, MIMedian $44,220 · Employment 70
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $89,960 · Employment 70
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in NJMedian $72,340 · Employment 70
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Providence, RIMedian $58,500 · Employment 60
Related careers
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersNational median $68,120
- Sheet Metal WorkersNational median $61,800
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersNational median $47,920
- Mechanical DraftersNational median $71,550
- Calibration Technologists and TechniciansNational median $67,820
- Industrial Machinery MechanicsNational median $64,520
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $47,180
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsNational median $50,690
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.