# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/model-makers-metal-and-plastic
- SOC code: 51-4061.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $63,340 (10th percentile $39,760, 90th percentile $99,010)
- Projected growth: Decline, -17.3%
- Openings a year: 200
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 98 |
| Investigative (I) | 32 |
| Artistic (A) | 28 |
| Social (S) | 1 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 51 |

## What you'd do

- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 86/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 78/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 72/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 72/100)
- Getting Information (importance 71/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 70/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 70/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 64/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 64/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 63/100)

## Skills

Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Quality Control Analysis, Monitoring, Equipment Selection, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Troubleshooting, Reading Comprehension

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Mathematics, Production and Processing, Design, Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, Sales and Marketing, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Education and Training

## Also called

Aircraft Mockup Builder, Appliances Sample Maker, Auto Manufacturing Model Maker (Automotive Manufacturing Model Maker), Clock and Watch Model Maker, CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator), CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer), Dioramist, Display Maker, Engineering Model Maker

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Precision Metal Working](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4805) (CIP 4805, 746 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Ferris State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ferris-state-university-949) | Precision Metal Working | not reported | $86,941 | $12,000 |
| [Del Mar College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/del-mar-college-782) | Precision Metal Working | $41,304 | $79,303 | not reported |
| [Hennepin Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/hennepin-technical-college-1182) | Precision Metal Working | $68,632 | $76,020 | $11,033 |
| [Des Moines Area Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/des-moines-area-community-college-797) | Precision Metal Working | $65,355 | $75,145 | not reported |
| [Ivy Tech Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ivy-tech-community-college-1314) | Precision Metal Working | $69,427 | $75,002 | $5,900 |
| [Dunwoody College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dunwoody-college-of-technology-838) | Precision Metal Working | $60,388 | $70,886 | $12,000 |
| [Pennsylvania College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pennsylvania-college-of-technology-2096) | Precision Metal Working | $63,054 | $70,298 | $19,500 |
| [Austin Community College District](https://www.collegesref.com/college/austin-community-college-district-152) | Precision Metal Working | $46,036 | $69,185 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Tool and Die Makers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tool-and-die-makers): $64,050 median pay
- [Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/layout-workers-metal-and-plastic): $63,870 median pay
- [Machinists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/machinists): $58,750 median pay
- [Engine and Other Machine Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/engine-and-other-machine-assemblers): $53,710 median pay
- [Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/patternmakers-metal-and-plastic): $58,000 median pay
- [Model Makers, Wood](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/model-makers-wood): $56,550 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.