Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4062 O*NET: 51-4062.00
Median Salary
$54,540
per year
Job Growth
📉 -24.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
What does a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$39,150
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,520
25th percentile
Median
$54,540
50th percentile
Experienced
$66,590
75th percentile
Top Earners
$79,690
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$39,150
25th
$47,520
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$54,540
Mean: $57,930
75th
$66,590
90th
$79,690
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $40,540 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,520 and $66,590
- •Salary spread is 35.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 1,570 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,600
Top Industries
Manufacturing97.5%
Primary Metal Manufacturing50.3%
Foundries50.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-24.4%
Annual Openings:100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,600
Current
2034 (Projected)1,200
-24.4%
-400
Employment Change
-24.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 15 locations
Wisconsin
210 jobs$47,5407.01x
Pennsylvania
170 jobs$52,0002.77x
Indiana
160 jobs$53,9805.06x
Alabama
160 jobs$48,6607.36x
Michigan
140 jobs$73,7303.04x
Ohio
120 jobs$63,4202.10x
North Carolina
70 jobs$37,9701.44x
Texas
60 jobs$52,9600.44x
Illinois
40 jobs$80,1900.66x
Minnesota
40 jobs$66,1201.26x
Iowa
40 jobs$63,3002.62x
Washington
40 jobs$59,7401.08x
Tennessee
40 jobs$38,6801.09x
California
0 jobs$65,5700.00x
Massachusetts
0 jobs$63,4800.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Quality Control Analysis
92%
#3
Operation and Control
86%
#4
Speaking
78%
#5
Reading Comprehension
70%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
62%
#7
Active Listening
56%
#8
Monitoring
48%
#9
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Quality Control Analysis
advanced4.6
92%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate3.9
78%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.5
70%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.1
62%
Active Listening
basic2.8
56%
Monitoring
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance62%
abilities
3.1/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders100%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators90%
5 shared skills
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators90%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers89%
5 shared skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders89%
5 shared skills
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (12)
1
Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Program computerized numerical control machine tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Design and create templates, patterns, or coreboxes according to work orders, sample parts, or mockups.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Repair and rework templates and patterns.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.65
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.20
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.05
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.96
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.90
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.87
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Independence
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Self-Control
3.7
Persistence
3.6
Initiative
3.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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