Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic does

Design and build patterns from metal and plastic that serve as molds for casting or forming production parts. Use precision tools and equipment to create patterns that match engineering specifications exactly.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a associate degree. About 2 years.

Estimated cost of that path: ~$7,500. Estimated payback: ~1 year. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers — $74,450/yr
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $48,570/yr
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $53,750/yr
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — $43,220/yr
• Machinists — $58,750/yr