Model Makers, Wood vs Patternmakers, Wood: $57K vs $50K Median Pay

Model Makers, Wood vs Patternmakers, Wood: what changes?

Consider Model Makers, Wood if you want to construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Consider Patternmakers, Wood if you would rather plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings. Both list high school diploma or equivalent; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Model Makers, Wood and Patternmakers, Wood. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Model Makers, Wood

National median pay (2025): $56,550
Route into the job: 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
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 100

Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 3.3% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Model Makers, Wood brief

Patternmakers, Wood

National median pay (2025): $49,630
Route into the job: 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
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 100

Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 2% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Patternmakers, Wood brief

How the national numbers differ

Model Makers, Wood has the edge on median pay

Model Makers, Wood is at $56,550, compared with $49,630 for Patternmakers, Wood.

Patternmakers, Wood has the edge on projected growth

Patternmakers, Wood is at -2% projected growth, compared with -3.3% projected growth for Model Makers, Wood.

24.1/ 100

Model Makers, Wood

22/ 100

Patternmakers, Wood

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

Model Makers, Wood vs Patternmakers, Wood

Dimension	Model Makers, Wood	Patternmakers, Wood
Median pay (2025)	$56,550	$49,630
Pay percentile	41.6 percentile	31.4 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	-3.3%	-2%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	100	100
2025 employment	700	600
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 3
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.

Read Model Makers, Wood brief Read Patternmakers, Wood brief

Model Makers, Wood vs Patternmakers, Wood: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Model Makers, Wood

Patternmakers, Wood

How the national numbers differ

Model Makers, Wood has the edge on median pay

Patternmakers, Wood has the edge on projected growth

Model Makers, Wood vs Patternmakers, Wood

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