Skilled Trades
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Median salary (BLS)
$58,000
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$42k – $83k
Job outlook
No separate BLS projection for this specific role
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Education
Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Entry / Junior
$42,460
~2 yrs to advance
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Established
$58,000
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Senior
$70,295
Key skills
A typical day
- •Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
- •Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
- •Repair and rework templates and patterns.
- •Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
- •Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.