How the national numbers differ
1Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers has the edge on median pay
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is at $62,750, compared with $49,030 for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
Typical preparation differs.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers: High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has the edge on annual openings
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is at 600 annual openings, compared with 200 annual openings for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers has the edge on projected growth
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is at -15% projected growth, compared with -17.2% projected growth for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
24.7/ 100Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
vs
24.6/ 100Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.
Detailed evidence
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers vs Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
| Dimension | Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $62,750 | $49,030 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 52.9 percentile | 29.9 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | -15% | -17.2% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 200 | 600 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 3,000 | 8,900 |
|---|
| How you qualify | High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing | High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 3 | Job Zone 2 |
| Related work experience | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. |
| On-the-job training | More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing. | More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
