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Model Makers, Metal and Plastic: 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.

What Do Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Perform?

Typical responsibilities of model makers, metal and plastic include:

• 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.

Key Skills and Knowledge

Successful model makers, metal and plastic draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.

Key Skills

These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Other Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Job Titles

This career also goes by job titles like:

• Aircraft Mockup Builder
• Appliances Sample Maker
• Auto Manufacturing Model Maker (Automotive Manufacturing Model Maker)
• CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)
• CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator)
• CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer)
• Clock and Watch Model Maker
• Dioramist

How Many Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Are There?

The U.S. employs around 203,594 model makers, metal and plastic working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +11.6% over the projection horizon.

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Pay

Statistic	Value
Annual median	$38,490
Hourly median	$18.51
10th percentile	$22,446
25th percentile	$30,468
75th percentile	$46,512
90th percentile	$54,534

Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary by State

State	Annual median salary
Georgia	$84,700
California	$77,970
New York	$73,840
Ohio	$68,530
Florida	$67,600
Illinois	$66,660
Massachusetts	$65,600
Indiana	$59,800
Michigan	$59,100
Missouri	$57,280
Iowa	$52,400
Utah	$51,960
Minnesota	$51,620
North Carolina	$46,680
Texas	$45,880
New Jersey	$43,000
Rhode Island	$33,330

Pay by U.S. Region

Pay for model makers, metal and plastic vary by region. Top regions by median wage:

Region	Median annual wage	Share of U.S. jobs	Location quotient
Far Western US	$77,970	12.6%	0.91
Southeast	$61,257	5.4%	0.48
Great Lakes	$60,626	54.3%	10.87
New England	$56,994	5.4%	2.17
Plains States	$53,452	6.5%	1.30
Rocky Mountains	$51,960	2.5%	1.82
Middle Atlantic	$50,384	7.6%	0.51
Southwest	$45,880	5.8%	0.54

Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Metro area	State	Median annual wage	Employment
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	CA	$102,130	110
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	TX	$85,820	70
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	MI	$76,260	780
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	NY	$75,620	70
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	CA	$75,140	130
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	CA	$72,250	30
Rochester, NY	NY	$70,980	40
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	IL	$66,660

Which Industries Hire Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

The bulk of model makers, metal and plastic are found across these industries:

Industry	Employment	Median annual wage
Manufacturing	2,110	$54,840
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	840	$76,060
Wholesale Trade	110	$82,050
Management of Companies and Enterprises	70	$74,530

Below are examples of industries where model makers, metal and plastic work:

Tools and Technology

• Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
• Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
• Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)

Work Environment

The on-the-job environment of model makers, metal and plastic reflects the following characteristics:

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
• Spend Time Standing
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Education and Training

Most model makers, metal and plastic positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.

Related Careers

Similar Occupations

• Mechanical Drafters (Supplemental)
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
• Sheet Metal Workers (Supplemental)
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics (Supplemental)
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (Supplemental)
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers (Primary-Long)
• Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers (Supplemental)
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (Primary-Short)

Where to Study

Aspiring model makers, metal and plastic commonly pursue programs in:

Precision Production

1 programs across 1 majors

• Precision Metal Working

About the Data

This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
• BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
• O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.

SOC code: 51-4061.00 (Model Makers, Metal and Plastic).