Careers / Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$63,340
United States, 2025
Employment
2,610
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 3
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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
- Experience required
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$39,760
25th percentile
$47,360
75th percentile
$86,740
90th percentile
$99,010
Most important skills
- Operation and Control3.6
- Operations Monitoring3.5
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Quality Control Analysis3.3
- Monitoring3.1
- Troubleshooting3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Equipment Selection3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Repairing2.9
- Equipment Maintenance2.8
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 9 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
9
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.6 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.3 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | 2.8 | Not selected | 2.8 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
Related careers
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Compare with Model Makers, Metal and PlasticHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $94,950 | 120 | 2025 |
| CA | $92,960 | 260 | 2025 |
| Dallas, TX | $89,960 | 70 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $84,780 | 40 | 2025 |
| Detroit, MI | $81,110 | 490 | 2025 |
| FL | $79,930 | 50 | 2025 |
| New York, NY | $77,710 | 80 | 2025 |
| NY | $77,710 | 120 | 2025 |
| Rochester, NY | $76,520 | 40 | 2025 |
| NJ | $72,340 | 70 | 2025 |
| Boston, MA | $70,980 | 60 | 2025 |
| Chicago, IL | $68,890 | — | 2025 |
| IL | $68,890 | — | 2025 |
| MA | $67,830 | 100 | 2025 |
| TX | $65,920 | 230 | 2025 |
| IN | $62,620 | 50 | 2025 |
| IA | $61,550 | 40 | 2025 |
| OH | $60,880 | 60 | 2025 |
| MI | $60,540 | 710 | 2025 |
| Providence, RI | $58,500 | 60 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Model Makers, Metal and Plastic to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.