Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for patternmakers, metal and plastic in the U.S. is $58,000 ($27.89 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $58,000
- Mean annual wage
- $60,610
- Median hourly wage
- $27.89
- Employment
- 1,470
1,470 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,460 | $20.42 |
| 25th percentile | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Median (50th) | $58,000 | $27.89 |
| 75th percentile | $69,960 | $33.63 |
| 90th percentile | $82,590 | $39.71 |
Highest-paying states for patternmakers, metal and plastic
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $97,690 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $74,900 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $65,210 | — |
| Iowa | $63,420 | 90 |
| Alabama | $62,290 | 110 |
| Washington | $59,800 | 30 |
| Indiana | $54,740 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,150 | 160 |
| Michigan | $53,780 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $52,150 | 230 |
Lowest-paying states
- North Carolina: $47,050 median annual wage
- Texas: $49,390 median annual wage
- Wisconsin: $52,150 median annual wage
- Michigan: $53,780 median annual wage
- Pennsylvania: $54,150 median annual wage
About this occupation
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Typical tasks
- Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.
- Select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass.
- Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
- Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.
- Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
- Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 11.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 44.3% |
| Some college, no degree | 27.0% |
| Associate's degree | 9.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 6.4% |
| Master's degree | 0.8% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.4% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44,650
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,450
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,570
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53,750
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,220
- Machinists$58,750
- Production Workers, All Other$40,110
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$45,850
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.