What Does it Take to Be a Wood Patternmaker?
Occupation Description Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.
Life As a Wood Patternmaker
- Finish completed products or models with shellac, lacquer, wax, or paint.
- Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
- Repair broken or damaged patterns.
- Divide patterns into sections according to shapes of castings to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
- 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.
- Maintain pattern records for reference.
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Wood Patternmaker Skills
These are the skills Wood Patternmakers say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
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.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Wood Patternmaker Job Titles
- Wood Patternmaker
- Patternmaker
- Mold Forms Builder
- Pattern Maker
- Model Maker
Job Demand for Wood Patternmakers
There were about 1,800 jobs for Wood Patternmaker in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Wood Patternmaker. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 200 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Wood Patternmaker are North Carolina, Michigan, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Pennsylvania, Nebraska, or Michigan. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Wood Patternmakers Make A Lot Of Money?
Wood Patternmakers make between $34,930 and $82,630 a year.

Wood Patternmakers who work in Ohio, Michigan, or North Carolina, make the highest salaries.
How much do Wood Patternmakers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $56,990 |
Michigan | $68,910 |
North Carolina | $53,910 |
Ohio | $73,670 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Wood Patternmakers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Wood Patternmakers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Delcam PowerMILL
- Mastercam
How do I Become a Wood Patternmaker?
What kind of Wood Patternmaker requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Wood Patternmaker?

Where do Wood Patternmakers Work?

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

References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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