Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.
Patternmakers, Wood
SOC: 51-7032 O*NET: 51-7032.00
Median Salary
$52,520
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
N/A
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.
What does a Patternmakers, Wood do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$40,730
10th percentile
Early Career
$45,450
25th percentile
Median
$52,520
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,410
75th percentile
Top Earners
$83,330
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$40,730
25th
$45,450
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$52,520
Mean: $57,920
75th
$77,410
90th
$83,330
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $42,600 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $45,450 and $77,410
- •Salary spread is 60.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 180 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:500
Top Industries
Manufacturing66.7%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing33.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-5%
Annual Openings:0
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)500
Current
2034 (Projected)400
-5%
0
Employment Change
-5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Patternmakers, Wood professionals work across the United States
Showing 2 of 2 locations
Pennsylvania
50 jobs$54,1707.07x
Ohio
0 jobs$43,6100.00x
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
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Operation and Control
92%
#3
Operations Monitoring
86%
#4
Complex Problem Solving
78%
#5
Monitoring
70%
#6
Active Listening
62%
#7
Quality Control Analysis
56%
#8
Critical Thinking
48%
#9
Mathematics
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.9
78%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
Active Listening
intermediate3.1
62%
Quality Control Analysis
basic2.8
56%
Critical Thinking
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:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance78%
abilities
3.9/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Mathematics
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders80%
5 shared skills
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic80%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators73%
5 shared skills
Chemical Plant and System Operators73%
5 shared skills
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists73%
5 shared skills
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Active Listening
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Complex Problem Solving
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, Wood
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 Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
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
OCCASIONAL
💡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
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Lay out patterns on wood stock and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products, based on blueprint specifications and sketches, and using marking and measuring devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and lathes to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Correct patterns to compensate for defects in castings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Construct wooden models, templates, full scale mock-ups, jigs, or molds for shaping parts of products.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Compute dimensions, areas, volumes, and weights.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Mark identifying information such as colors or codes on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% 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, Wood
💡 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, Wood 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, Wood
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.64
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.46
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.04
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.93
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.90
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.82
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Initiative
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Persistence
3.7
Innovation
3.7
Analytical Thinking
3.7
💡 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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