Careers / Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Patternmakers, 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
$58,000
United States, 2025
Employment
1,470
United States, 2025
Typical education
Not recorded
Job Zone 3
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
- O*NET code
- 51-4062.00
- Job zone
- 3
- Experience required
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$42,460
25th percentile
$49,070
75th percentile
$69,960
90th percentile
$82,590
Most important skills
- Operation and Control3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Time Management3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8
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 | 3.3 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
| Speaking | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 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 Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| OH | $97,690 | 70 | 2025 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $74,900 | 50 | 2025 |
| MN | $74,900 | 60 | 2025 |
| MA | $65,210 | — | 2025 |
| IA | $63,420 | 90 | 2025 |
| Birmingham, AL | $62,390 | 70 | 2025 |
| AL | $62,290 | 110 | 2025 |
| WA | $59,800 | 30 | 2025 |
| Allentown, PA | $54,980 | 40 | 2025 |
| IN | $54,740 | 80 | 2025 |
| PA | $54,150 | 160 | 2025 |
| MI | $53,780 | 250 | 2025 |
| WI | $52,150 | 230 | 2025 |
| TX | $49,390 | 40 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $49,070 | 110 | 2025 |
| Detroit, MI | $48,790 | 100 | 2025 |
| NC | $47,050 | 40 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Patternmakers, 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.