Production · Holland code RCA
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Also called: Die Cast Die Maker, Journeyman Patternmaker, Layout Technician (Layout Tech), Metal Patternmaker, Fixture Builder, Metal Mold Maker, Model Maker, Mold Maker.
O*NET 51-4062.00
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $58,000
- Middle half earn $49,070 to $69,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- 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.
- Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.
- Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
- Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
- Repair and rework templates and patterns.
- Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.
- Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
- Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates.
- Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Reading Comprehension3.1 / 5
- Critical Thinking3.1 / 5
- Active Listening3.0 / 5
- Speaking3.0 / 5
- Monitoring3.0 / 5
- Active Learning2.6 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics4.1 / 5
- Design4.0 / 5
- Engineering and Technology4.0 / 5
- Mechanical3.9 / 5
- Production and Processing3.9 / 5
- English Language2.8 / 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.
- Realistic87
- Investigative12
- Artistic40
- Social0
- Enterprising0
- Conventional54
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)
- model maker · DE Modellbauer/Modellbauerin · FR modeleur/modeleuse
- foundry moulder · DE Gießereimechaniker Schwerpunkt Kernherstellung/Gießereimechanikerin Schwerpunkt Kernherstellung · FR mouleur en fonderie/mouleuse en fonderie
- 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
- tool and die maker · DE Werkzeugbautechniker/Werkzeugbautechnikerin · FR ajusteur-outilleur/ajusteuse-outilleuse
- digital prototyper · DE Digital Prototyper · FR modéliste CAO
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out (5222)8,600 employed
- Clothing, fashion and accessories designers (3422)18,300 employed
- Footwear and leather working trades (5412)7,700 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 middle third of the 774 occupations scored, with an exposure score of -0.61. 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 (51-4062).
Related careers
Is it a fit for you?
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