Production · Holland code RCI
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers.
Also called: CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), Model Builder, Model Maker, Molding Technician (Molding Tech), CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer), Metal Model Maker, Model Maker Machinist, Model Technician (Model Tech).
O*NET 51-4061.00
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $63,340
- Middle half earn $47,360 to $86,740. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Most common education
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- 41% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Medium preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
- Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
- Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.
- Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
- Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
- Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.
- Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
- Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Critical Thinking3.3 / 5
- Monitoring3.1 / 5
- Reading Comprehension2.9 / 5
- Active Listening2.8 / 5
- Speaking2.6 / 5
- Mathematics2.6 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.3 / 5
- Mathematics4.0 / 5
- Production and Processing3.9 / 5
- Design3.9 / 5
- Engineering and Technology3.8 / 5
- Computers and Electronics2.9 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic98
- Investigative32
- Artistic28
- Social1
- Enterprising0
- Conventional51
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- tooling engineer · DE Werkzeugingenieur/Werkzeugingenieurin · FR ingénieur outillage/ingénieure outillage
- automotive designer · DE Automobildesigner/Automobildesignerin · FR designer automobile/designeuse automobile
- model maker · DE Modellbauer/Modellbauerin · FR modeleur/modeleuse
- miniature set designer · DE Miniaturbauer/Miniaturbauerin · FR maquettiste de cinéma
- mouldmaker · DE Gießereimechaniker Schwerpunkt Handformguss/Gießereimechanikerin Schwerpunkt Handformguss · FR mouleur noyauteur/mouleuse noyauteuse
- casting mould maker · DE Technischer Modellbauer Fachrichtung Gießerei/Technische Modellbauerin Fachrichtung Gießerei · FR modeleur mouliste/modeleuse mouliste
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out (5222)8,600 employed
- Interior designers (3421)40,600 employed
- Clothing, fashion and accessories designers (3422)18,300 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Craft and related trades workers”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €40,086 |
| Germany | €38,638 |
| Austria | €38,194 |
| Sweden | €37,856 |
| Netherlands | €37,077 |
| Ireland | €36,098 |
| France | €27,145 |
| Italy | €26,488 |
| Spain | €22,817 |
| Portugal | €11,142 |
| Poland | €10,099 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
Exposure to AI
This occupation sits in the lower third of the 774 occupations scored, with an exposure score of -0.74. The scores are standardized across those occupations, so 0 is the average and a score of 1 is about one standard deviation above it.
Our note on reading it: the dataset links AI applications to the abilities that occupations require, so the score reflects overlap between the two. It is a comparison between occupations, not a forecast about jobs. It does not say whether exposure means tasks are replaced or workers get more done with the tools, and it says little about one employer or one role.
Source: Felten, E., Raj, M., & Seamans, R. (2021). Occupational, industry, and geographic exposure to artificial intelligence: A novel dataset and its potential uses. Strategic Management Journal, 42(12), 2195-2217. Matched to this page by 6-digit SOC code (51-4061).
Related careers
Is it a fit for you?
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