Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary
Production Occupations · 2.6K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$63,340
Median hourly
$30
Average annual
$68,570
Typical range
$39,760–$99,010
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic is $63,340 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $30 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers..
Most earn between $39,760 and $99,010 a year. There are roughly 2.6K people employed as model makers, metal and plastic in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic.
- Hourly
- $30.45
- Daily
- $244
- Weekly
- $1,218
- Bi-weekly
- $2,436
- Monthly
- $5,278
- Annual
- $63,340
$63,340 a year is around the 50th percentile for Model Makers, Metal and Plastics. The median is $63,340.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1California$92,960
- 2Florida$79,930
- 3New York$77,710
- 4New Jersey$72,340
- 5Illinois$68,890
- 6Massachusetts$67,830
- 7Texas$65,920
- 8Indiana$62,620
- 9Iowa$61,550
- 10Ohio$60,880
- 11Michigan$60,540
- 12Rhode Island$55,560
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$94,950
- 2Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$89,960
- 3San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$84,780
- 4Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$81,110
- 5New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$77,710
- 6Rochester, NY$76,520
- 7Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$70,980
- 8Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$68,890
- 9Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$58,500
- 10Raleigh-Cary, NC$45,760
- 11Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI$44,220
Related job titles
Employers advertise Model Makers, Metal and Plastic roles under these titles.
- Aircraft Mockup Builder
- Appliances Sample Maker
- Clock and Watch Model Maker
- Dioramist
- Engineering Model Maker
- Firearms Model Maker
- Fluorescent Lighting Model Maker
- Furn Model Builder
- Injection Mold Tooling Technician
- Jig and Fixture Builder
- Liner Man
- Liner Worker
- Machine Tool Builder
- Machine Tools Builder
- Mandrel Maker
- Metal Mockup Maker
Related occupations
What a Model Makers, Metal and Plastic does
- Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
- Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
- Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.
- Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
- Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
- Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.
- Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.
- Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Model Makers, Metal and Plastic make?
- The median annual wage for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic is $63,340 ($30 per hour). Pay ranges from about $39,760 at the 10th percentile to $99,010 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Model Makers, Metal and Plastic?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $68,570, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Model Makers, Metal and Plastics the most?
- California has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $92,960.
- Is Model Makers, Metal and Plastic a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 2.6K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Model Makers, Metal and Plastic do?
- Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.; Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.; Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions..