Patternmakers, metal and plastic
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Patternmakers, metal and plastic lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates. The role reports a median annual salary of $54,540 in the US and is projected to decline by 24% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.48 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Critical Thinking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £39,902 a year for Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 5222). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Patternmakers, metal and plastic, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
What you'd actually do
- 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.
- Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Patternmakers, metal and plastic do?
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
How much does Patternmakers, metal and plastic earn?
The median annual salary for Patternmakers, metal and plastic in the US is $54,540.
What is the job outlook for Patternmakers, metal and plastic?
The role is projected to decline by 24% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 1,600 workers.
How do I become patternmakers, metal and plastic?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Patternmakers, metal and plastic need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Patternmakers, metal and plastic?
Our AI-durability model gives Patternmakers, metal and plastic a score of 0.48 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Patternmakers, metal and plastic has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.