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Model Makers, Wood in Michigan

Thinking about a career as a Model Makers, Wood in Michigan? Here’s what you need to know. Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.

What do Model Makers, Wood Make in Michigan?

For a model makers, wood working in Michigan, the typical annual salary is $88,940 per year (or about $42.76/hour).Earnings range from $58,160 at the 10th percentile to $89,330 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$58,160	$27.96
25th percentile	$75,300	$36.20
Median (50th)	$88,940	$42.76
75th percentile	$89,330	$42.95
90th percentile	$89,330	$42.95

The job concentration index in Michigan relative to the national average — is 3.08, meaning that model makers, wood are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, model makers, wood earn a median of $55,448 per year ($26.66/hour), above the Michigan median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 476,068 model makers, wood across the United States. In Michigan alone, approximately 30 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 70 model makers, wood.

Top States for Model Makers, Wood Employment

These states have the highest employment of model makers, wood work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	70
Michigan	30

Highest-Paying States for Model Makers, Wood

The highest-paying states for model makers, wood.

State	Annual Median Salary
Michigan	$88,940
Texas	$41,980

Skills

Key model makers, wood skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for model makers, wood, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
• Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners.
• Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices.
• Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
• Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.
• Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools.
• Select wooden stock, determine layouts, and mark layouts of parts on stock, using precision equipment such as scribers, squares, and protractors.
• Mark identifying information on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods and details.
• Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and planers to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
• Maintain pattern records for reference.
• Build jigs that can be used as guides for assembling oversized or special types of box shooks.
• Issue patterns to designated machine operators.

Work Activities

• Handling and Moving Objects
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Getting Information
• Thinking Creatively
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Processing Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

• Woodworking

Related Careers

Careers similar to model makers, wood include:

• Carpenters
• Sheet Metal Workers
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
• Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Also Known As

Aircraft Model Maker, Architectural Wood Model Maker, Builder, Building Craftsman, Craftsman, Jig Builder, Jig Maker, Last Model Maker, Loft Worker, Lofter, Model Builder, Model Maker, Product Craftsman, Product Development Carpenter, Production Craftsman.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-7031.00