The median pay for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic is $63,340 a year ($30.45/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 17.3% through 2035, with about 200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-4061
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Model Maker, Metal and Plastic in four numbers
- Median pay
- $63,340a year, or $30.45/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $40KTop 10% $99K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -17.3%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−17.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −17.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2002,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20252.6K
- Projected 20352.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 2.6K Projected 2035 2.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school41%
- Certificate37.7%
- Some college15.5%
- Associate's5%
- Post-master’s certificate0.8%
Highest education held by model makers, metal and plastic Segment Value High school 41% Certificate 37.7% Some college 15.5% Associate's 5% Post-master’s certificate 0.8%
Also advertised as: CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer), Metal Model Maker, Model Builder, Model Maker, Model Maker Machinist.
Pay
How much do Model Makers, Metal and Plastic make?
Every model maker, metal and plastic in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$63,340
Middle half earn $47,360 to $86,740
- 10th
- $39,760
- 25th
- $47,360
- 75th
- $86,740
- 90th
- $99,010
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $39,760 |
| 25th | $47,360 |
| Median | $63,340 |
| 75th | $86,740 |
| 90th | $99,010 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $63,340
- Median hourly wage
- $30.45/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $68,570
- People employed
- 2,610
Versus all US occupations
At $63,340, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic earn 24% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $12,360 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 32% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $99,010 or more while the bottom 10% earn $39,760, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 38% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $92,960, and still leads at $83,960 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Model Makers, Metal and Plastic the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $92,960 | $83,960 | 260 |
| 2Florida | $79,930 | $77,291 | 50 |
| 3New York | $77,710 | $72,006 | 120 |
| 4New Jersey | $72,340 | $66,486 | 70 |
| 5Illinois | $68,890 | $68,919 | N/A |
| 6Massachusetts | $67,830 | $64,138 | 100 |
| 7Texas | $65,920 | $67,919 | 230 |
| 8Indiana | $62,620 | $67,096 | 50 |
| 9Iowa | $61,550 | $70,133 | 40 |
| 10Ohio | $60,880 | $65,622 | 60 |
Job outlook
Is Model Maker, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -17.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | −17.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Model Makers, Metal and Plastic to change -17.3% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 500 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 200 openings are projected each year, 7.7% of the 2,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of metal and plastic machine workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of metal and plastic machine workers varies by occupation (see table).
One of the most important factors influencing employment of these workers is the use of laborsaving machinery. Many firms are continuing to expand the use of technologies, such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) tools and robots, to improve quality and lower production costs. The use of CNC equipment requires CNC tool programmers instead of machine setters, operators, and tenders. Therefore, demand for most manual tool operators and tenders is likely to be reduced, while demand for CNC tool programmers is expected to be strong.
Getting in
How to become a Model Maker, Metal and Plastic
Metal and plastic workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive 1 year of on-the-job training. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) tool programmers typically need postsecondary education.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as model makers, metal and plastic.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)41%
- Post-Secondary Certificate37.7%
- Some College Courses15.5%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
- Post-Master's Certificate0.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 41% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 37.7% |
| Some College Courses | 15.5% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 5% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 0.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Model Maker, Metal and Plastic do?
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.
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Day-to-day tasks
- Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
- Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.
- Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.
- Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.
- Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
- Consult and confer with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and to recommend product modifications.
- Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
- Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most metal and plastic machine workers are employed full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because many manufacturers run their machinery for extended periods, evening and weekend work is also common.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Monitoring3.1
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Active Listening2.8
- Speaking2.6
- Mathematics2.6
- Active Learning2.5
- Writing2.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Active Listening | 2.8 |
| Speaking | 2.6 |
| Mathematics | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.5 |
| Writing | 2.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operation and Control3.6
- Operations Monitoring3.5
- Quality Control Analysis3.3
- Equipment Selection3.0
- Troubleshooting3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Repairing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.6 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.3 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Repairing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Model Maker, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Model Maker, Metal and Plastic |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.9
- Conventional4.0
- Investigative2.9
- Artistic2.7
- Social1.1
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Model Maker, Metal and Plastic
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Production
- Production
- Production
- Production
- Production
More production careers
Median annual pay, with model makers, metal and plastic highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Model Maker, Metal and Plastic$63,340
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Model Maker, Metal and Plastic | $63,340 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Model Maker, Metal and Plastic appears on
Questions
Model Maker, Metal and Plastic: frequently asked questions
How much do Model Makers, Metal and Plastic make?
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $63,340 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 24% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $30.45/hr. The middle half earn between $47,360 and $86,740. The top 10% earn $99,010 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Model Maker, Metal and Plastic?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 41.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Model Maker, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 17.3% over 2025–2035, a loss of 500 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Model Maker, Metal and Plastic do?
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces. A core O*NET task: study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Spreadsheet software, Word processing software.
Which states pay Model Makers, Metal and Plastic the most?
The highest state medians for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic are California ($92,960), Florida ($79,930), New York ($77,710) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Model Maker, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET scores Model Makers, Metal and Plastic highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.