What You Need to Know About Metal and Plastic Patternmaker
Example of Metal & Plastic Patternmaker Job Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Metal & Plastic Patternmaker Responsibilities
- Select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass.
- Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
- Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.
- Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
- Program computerized numerical control machine tools.
- Apply plastic-impregnated fabrics or coats of sealing wax or lacquer to patterns used to produce plastic.
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Skills Needed to be a Metal & Plastic Patternmaker
When polled, Metal and Plastic Patternmakers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles
- Die Inspector
- Journeyman Patternmaker
- Acoustical Tile Patternmaker
- Template Maker
- Pattern Developer
Metal & Plastic Patternmaker Job Outlook
There were about 3,400 jobs for Metal and Plastic Patternmaker in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Patternmaker. The BLS estimates 300 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Metal & Plastic Patternmaker are Florida, Nebraska, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Minnesota, North Carolina, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Metal & Plastic Patternmaker Salary
The typical yearly salary for Metal and Plastic Patternmakers is somewhere between $28,890 and $67,250.

Metal and Plastic Patternmakers who work in Kansas, Oregon, or Indiana, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Patternmakers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $42,390 |
California | $46,870 |
Colorado | $35,030 |
Florida | $43,260 |
Georgia | $44,880 |
Illinois | $52,860 |
Indiana | $50,250 |
Iowa | $53,740 |
Kansas | $59,450 |
Michigan | $48,580 |
Minnesota | $47,830 |
New York | $49,640 |
North Carolina | $35,380 |
Ohio | $45,470 |
Oregon | $63,180 |
Pennsylvania | $47,430 |
South Carolina | $47,620 |
Tennessee | $50,600 |
Texas | $41,190 |
Wisconsin | $47,070 |
What Tools do Metal and Plastic Patternmakers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Patternmakers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Delcam PowerMILL
- Mastercam
How do I Become a Metal & Plastic Patternmaker?
What kind of Metal and Plastic Patternmaker requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Metal and Plastic Patternmakers?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Patternmaker may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Metal and Plastic Patternmaker in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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