# Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

> Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/patternmakers-metal-and-plastic
- SOC code: 51-4062.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $58,000 (10th percentile $42,460, 90th percentile $82,590)
- Projected growth: Decline, -22.8%
- 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) | 87 |
| Investigative (I) | 12 |
| Artistic (A) | 40 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 54 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 82/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 81/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 80/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 80/100)
- Processing Information (importance 78/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 78/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 76/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 75/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 73/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 73/100)

## Skills

Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving

## Knowledge

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

## Also called

Acoustical Tile Patternmaker, All-Around Patternmaker, Computer Patternmaker, Die Cast Die Maker, Die Technician, Extrusion Die Template Maker, Fixture Builder, Foundry Patternmaker, Freelance Patternmaker, Journeyman Patternmaker

## 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

- [Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fabric-and-apparel-patternmakers): $62,750 median pay
- [Patternmakers, Wood](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/patternmakers-wood): $49,630 median pay
- [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
- [Model Makers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/model-makers-metal-and-plastic): $63,340 median pay
- [Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/molders-shapers-and-casters-except-metal-and-plastic): $46,170 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.