# Model Makers, Wood

> Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/model-makers-wood
- SOC code: 51-7031.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $56,550 (10th percentile $34,800, 90th percentile $98,050)
- Projected growth: Decline, -3.3%
- Openings a year: 100
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 26 |
| Artistic (A) | 47 |
| Social (S) | 6 |
| Enterprising (E) | 10 |
| Conventional (C) | 50 |

## What you'd do

- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 81/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 80/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 78/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 77/100)
- Getting Information (importance 73/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 71/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 70/100)
- Processing Information (importance 69/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 68/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 68/100)

## Skills

Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Time Management, Active Listening, Operation and Control, Operations Analysis

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, Design, Building and Construction, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Administration and Management, Mechanical, English Language, Customer and Personal Service, Computers and Electronics

## Also called

Aircraft Model Maker, Architectural Wood Model Maker, Builder, Building Craftsman, Craftsman, Jig Builder, Jig Maker, Last Model Maker, Loft Worker, Lofter

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

- [Woodworking](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4807) (CIP 4807, 65 colleges)

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

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Rhode Island School of Design RISD](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rhode-island-school-of-design-risd-2225) | Woodworking | not reported | $37,055 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cabinetmakers-and-bench-carpenters): $46,680 median pay
- [Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/layout-workers-metal-and-plastic): $63,870 median pay
- [Patternmakers, Wood](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/patternmakers-wood): $49,630 median pay
- [Model Makers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/model-makers-metal-and-plastic): $63,340 median pay
- [Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/structural-metal-fabricators-and-fitters): $51,330 median pay
- [Carpenters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/carpenters): $60,580 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.