What do they do?

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

Also known as:

Die Cast Die Maker, Fixture Builder, Layout Technician, Metal Pattern Maker, Pattern Maker, Pattern Maker Programmer, Pattern Repair Person, Pattern Worker, Patternmaker, Wax Molder

Typical Wages

Projected Growth Rate

Employment of Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic is projected to Decline 6 percent from 2022 to 2032

Projected Employment in OH

No Data Available
  • -6.5%

    Change

    Ranks #11 in job growth rate
    20

    Job Openings

    Ranks #2 in net job growth

Colleges with the most graduates that become Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

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Education Level

Percent of workers in this field with these degrees:

  • High school diploma equivalent  (41%)
  • Some college, no degree  (26%)
  • Associate's degree  (13%)
  • Less than high school diploma  (13%)
  • Bachelor's degree  (6%)
  • Master's degree  (1%)
  • Doctorate or Professional Degree  (<1%)

Typical College Majors

Most Popular Majors that prepare Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Select Type of Degree:

★ There are no majors that have graduates with this degree type

People in this career often have these skills:

  • Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

People in this career often know a lot about:

  • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

People in this career often have talent in:

  • Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

People in this career often do these activities:

  • Program equipment to perform production tasks.
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Operate grinding equipment.
  • Design templates or patterns.
  • Repair templates, patterns, or molds.
  • Operate welding equipment.
  • Construct patterns, templates, or other work aids.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
  • Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
  • Clean workpieces or finished products.
  • Smooth metal surfaces or edges.
  • Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
  • Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
  • Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
  • Select production input materials.
  • Apply solutions to production equipment.

This page includes data from:

O*NET OnLine Career data: O*NET 28.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Logo Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

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